Analyse des savoirs écologiques locaux et perceptions culturelles des catastrophes environnementales dans le territoire de Businga, Province du Nord-Ubangi en RD Congo.

Abstract

This study analyzes local ecological knowledge, cultural perceptions, and social practices related to environmental disasters in the Businga Territory, Nord-Ubangi Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The objective is to understand how local populations interpret, explain, and manage recurrent environmental phenomena—particularly bushfires and floods—through their everyday interactions with local ecosystems. An ethnobiological and ethnoecological approach was adopted, combining a survey of 150 participants from the three sectors of the territory (Businga, Bodangabo, and Karawa), semi-structured interviews, and qualitative analysis of narratives concerning perceived causes, traditional practices, and local adaptation strategies. The results show that bushfires, perceived as recurrent and annual events, are closely linked to agricultural practices, cultural uses of fire, and traditional management of vegetated areas. Floods, which are more sporadic, are associated with the occupation of riverine zones and the local dynamics of watercourses. Communities develop empirical knowledge that enables them to anticipate these phenomena, although such knowledge is insufficiently integrated into formal prevention policies. The study highlights a gap between local ecological knowledge and institutional disaster management mechanisms, contributing to increased community vulnerability. It underscores the importance of integrating biocultural knowledge and local practices into prevention and adaptation strategies in order to promote sustainable management of environmental risks in the Businga Territory.