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In Search of Nyo: Lyela Farmers' Perceptions of the Forest in Burkina Faso

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 March 2011

Sten Hagberg
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Abstract

This study deals with the cultural construction of the forest by focusing on a group of farmers in Burkina Faso. It explores forest perceptions among Lyela farmers living in the vicinity of the Tiogo Forest Reserve through an analysis of cultural notions, specific historical circumstances and daily practices. Forest discourses articulate the process by which people's perceptions of forest resources are shaped both by religious and cultural notions of how to behave towards spirits, ancestors and human beings, on the one hand, and by sociopolitical and economic practices of how to make a living on the other. In search of nyo—that is, food, new farmland and a better living—people handle at least three layers of apparently contradictory conceptions of the forest. First, they follow the way of the ancestors according to which the Earth is sacred. Second, they cope with the legacy of colonial and post-colonial state administrations and particularly the Forestry Office. Third, they deal with market demands and the making of money by cotton cropping and woodcutting. The study concludes that these different layers of perception need to be understood as part of a present-day social struggle in which the Lyela farmers are engaged.

Résumé

Cet article traite de l'interprétation culturelle de la forêt à travers l'étude d'un groupe de fermiers du Burkina Faso. Il examine la perception qu'ont de la forêt les fermiers Lyela qui vivent à proximité de la réserve forestière de Tiogo à travers une analyse de notions culturelles, d'événements historiques spécifiques et de pratiques quotidiennes. Les discours sur la forêt exposent le processus selon lequel la perception des ressources de la forêt est déterminée par des notions religieuses et culturelles du comportement à adopter face aux esprits, aux ancêtres et aux êtres humains d'une part, et par des pratiques socio-politiques et économiques sur la façon de gagner sa vie d'autre part. A la recherche du nyo—à savoir nourriture, terres nouvelles à cultiver et vie meilleure—les individus usent au minimum de trois niveaux de conceptions de la forêt en apparence contradictoires. Premièrement, ils suivent la voie de leurs ancêtres selon laquelle la Terre est sacrée. Deuxièmement, ils font face au legs des administrations étatiques coloniales et postcoloniales et notamment le Forestry Office [Eaux et Forêts]. Troisièmement, ils répondent aux exigences du marché et gagnent de l'argent en cultivant le coton et en abattant des arbres. l'étude conclut qu'il faut comprendre ces différents niveaux de perception comme s'inscrivant dans une lutte sociale actuelle dans laquelle les fermiers Lyela sont engagés.

Type
Research Article
Information
Africa , Volume 71 , Issue 3 , August 2001 , pp. 481 - 501
Copyright
Copyright © International African Institute 2001

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