Indigenous Ways of Creating Environmental Awareness

Case Study from Berekum Traditional Area of Ghana

Authors

  • Samuel Awuah-Nyamekye Univerisity of Cape Coast, Ghana and University of Leeds, UK

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/jsrnc.v8i1.46

Keywords:

Berekum Traditional Area, worldview, cosmovision, ritual, Afahye, Yerepra Yadee, Mmebuo, indigenous ecological knowledge

Abstract

The people of Berekum Traditional Area, Brong Ahafo region, Ghana, use their religio-cultural practices to instil and impart traditional ecologi-cal knowledge to their youth. Qualitative methodology research identi?ed the main means by which indigenous ecological knowledge is transmitted to students: proverbs, myths, folktales, and rituals. There is evidence that indigenous methods of imparting ecological knowledge and thereby dealing with environmental problems are facing some chal-lenges that appear to have interfered with their effectiveness. These challenges may be attributed to a change in the people’s worldview resulting from cultural contact and modernity. The ?ndings indicate that indigenous ecological knowledge is a potential resource that can complement scienti?c means of dealing with the region’s environmental problems.

Author Biography

  • Samuel Awuah-Nyamekye, Univerisity of Cape Coast, Ghana and University of Leeds, UK
    Samuel Awuah-Nyamekye is a Senior Lecturer in the Dept.of Religion and Human Values at the University of Cape Coast. He is currently studying for a PhD in the Dept.of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Leeds

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Published

2014-06-03

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Awuah-Nyamekye, S. (2014). Indigenous Ways of Creating Environmental Awareness: Case Study from Berekum Traditional Area of Ghana. Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture, 8(1), 46-63. https://doi.org/10.1558/jsrnc.v8i1.46

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