Savoirs écologiques traditionnels, usages des ressources biologiques et défis de préservation chez les Yaka du secteur de Kingulu (Kwango, République démocratique du Congo)

Abstract

Traditional ecological knowledge structures access to, use of and management of biological resources in many rural settings. This study aimed to document Yaka knowledge related to the use and conservation of biological resources and to identify the main perceived preservation challenges in the Kingulu sector. A descriptive ethnobiological study, predominantly qualitative and complemented by a descriptive quantitative component, was conducted in 15 villages across the Baringa, Kikobo and Muningulu groupings from 15 August 2025 to late February 2026. Available data came from semi-structured interviews, focus-group discussions, field observations and an inventory of plant resources. The verifiable analytical denominator was 217 participants belonging to five actor categories. Counts and proportions were recalculated only from the source table; no inferential analysis was added. The 217 participants were from Baringa (64/217; 29.5%), Kikobo (75/217; 34.6%) and Muningulu (78/217; 35.9%); 170/217 (78.3%) were men and 47/217 (21.7%) were women. Documented categories were traditional healers (47/217; 21.7%), farmers (47/217; 21.7%), land chiefs (45/217; 20.7%), fishers (40/217; 18.4%) and notables (38/217; 17.5%). The source plant inventory comprised 19 key taxa used notably for food and traditional medicine; several identifications still require confirmation because voucher numbers were not provided. Interviews and observations reported customary rules (sacred forests, harvesting prohibitions, access restrictions), ex situ practices (nurseries, gardens, livestock rearing, fish farming), and local perceptions that some resources were becoming rarer. These perceptions alone do not demonstrate ecological decline. The findings document a body of ecological knowledge and local management rules that may inform participatory governance of biological resources. They do not establish species population trends or quantify the ecological effectiveness of conservation practices. Standardized ecological data, stronger taxonomic traceability and complete ethical documentation are needed to strengthen these conclusions.