Involving the marginalised: The role of Sengwer Religious worldview in the conservation of natural environmental resources in Embobut Forest, Kenya

Abstract

The environmental crisis bedevilling the universe is a concern to many people. The aberration and destruction of the hitherto aesthetic environment threatens human existence on earth. This study sought to seek for ways of involving indigenous people‘s religious knowledge to solve the current problem of unwise utilization of natural environmental resources. Specifically, the main objective of this study was to explore the Sengwer religious worldview on the conservation natural environmental resources of Embobut forest. The specific objectives include: to determine the Sengwer religious worldview on natural environment resources in Embobut forest, to explore the influence of the Sengwer religious worldview on the conservation of natural resources in Embobut forest and to find out the challenges faced by Sengwer community in conserving natural environmental resources in Embobut forest. The study employed human relation theory and the social functional theory. It utilized qualitative methods since it sought to explore the attitudes and beliefs of Sengwer towards environment. The target populations for the study were Sengwer who reside within the Cherangany water catchment area and living within Embobut Forest. Thirty Participants who were knowledgeable about the Sengwer culture and who were living within the forest were purposefully sampled. Snowball sampling was also used to get research participants. Field data was collected through observation, interviews and focus group discussions. Data collected was analyzed through qualitative method and presented in a thematic form. Findings from the research show that the indigenous beliefs and practices of the Sengwer have an active role to play in the conservation of the natural resources in Embobut forest by controlling the utilization of resources and through creating awareness on the existence of certain natural environmental resources. It was established that, the Sengwer ensured sustainable utilization of natural resources through taboos, totems and beliefs systems attached to various flora, fauna and avifauna. The control and utilization of natural resource was done by creating awareness among members of the community and transmitted the very important environmental knowledge to young generation through oral literature therefore developing a positive environmental attitude to the young ones. The austere punishment by the Supreme Being through Illat and the council of elders acted as a deterrent and caveat to those who would be destroyers of the natural environmental resources. It was found out that the Sengwer have faced a variety of challenges in their attempt to conserve the forest. They include: Colonial and post-colonial government oppression, modern religions, population growth and development initiatives. Despite the challenges, they have come up with various initiatives in order to cope up with these challenges. The study recommends for a holistic approach towards promoting natural environmental resource conservation. The study shows that the Sengwer traditional religious knowledge on environment promoted a healthy and harmony relationship between human beings and the environment. Therefore, indigenous beliefs and practices of the local people have a crucial role to play in mitigating the current environmental crisis facing the world. Hence, there is need for a synergy of both African religion and modern ways to deal with the environmental crisis.