Savoirs endogènes associés à la conservation et à l’utilisation des ressources biologiques chez la communauté Pelende, province du Kwango (RDC)

Abstract

This study examined indigenous knowledge associated with the use and conservation of biological resources among the Pelende community in Kwango Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. It aimed to: (1) identify indigenous knowledge mobilized in different activities; (2) inventory animal and plant species reported as having totemic value in the community; and (3) describe the uses attributed to biological resources in the study area. Data were collected through field observation and a questionnaire survey of 150 purposively selected participants from 15 groupings. The plant inventory recorded 49 species belonging to 29 families. Fabaceae was the most represented family (18.36%), whereas Moraceae, Arecaceae (Palmae), and Rubiaceae each accounted for 6.12%. Guineo-Congolian and Afrotropical species each represented 26.53% of the plant inventory. Mesophanerophytes predominated (34.69%). Sarcochorous diaspores accounted for 71.43% of the species, and mesophyllous species for 63.27%. For fauna, 33 species were distributed among eight classes. Mammalia was the most represented class (45.45%), followed by Reptilia (18.18%) and Aves (15.15%). Squamata accounted for 15.15% of the recorded animal species, while Bovidae was the most represented family (9.09%). Cultural, ritual, food-related, and medicinal uses were reported for several species. The findings indicate that the documented indigenous knowledge is closely linked to local practices of biological-resource use. The conservation status of several species should be verified against up-to-date taxonomic and IUCN sources before publication.