THE CONTRIBUTION OF TRADITIONAL BELIEF SYSTEMS IN BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AMONG THE NDAU PEOPLE OF NYAGADZA COMMUNITY IN CHIPINGE

ABSTRACT

The study strengthens the role played by Ndau taboos, folklore and sacredness in biodiversity

conservation. The belief systems’ relevance and resilience around conserved landscapes / sites is

symbolic and a reality when contrasted with other open landscapes across the same community

where unregulated human activity is common. The latter depict landscapes under degradation

with soil erosion leading to loss of arable land and biodiversity. This research paper therefore

highlights contrasting conservation realities in the same community across adjacent landscapes.

It is interesting to note how the spiritual belief systems have played out a significant role in

nature conservation in Nyagadza area. However, the resilience of spiritual belief systems to both

local and transnational forces of globalisation for example whilst exhibiting dualistic contrasting

landscapes in the same community is of great interest to this study. In essence, traditional

knowledge systems are not simply relics of the past, in fact; they remain essential and relevant

today for sustainable biodiversity conservation.