Traditional Practices among the Igbo in Imo State, Nigeria and their Effect on Environmental Sustainability

Abstract

Environment is the combination of the natural living resources (plants, animals, streams, air and forests), the non-living things made by man and the inter-relationship between these as well as various circumstances which surround people on earth. Environmental sustainability is the capacity to preserve the ecological balance in our natural ecosystem and protect natural resources to be able to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs can be achieved if man is in harmony with the environment through his actions and is inextricably linked to the traditional practices of the people. Traditional Nigerian communities have various traditional practices that utilize the natural environment without abusing the environment resulting in communities living in pristine environment suitable for future generations. Therefore, this study is conducted with the aim of identifying the traditional practices that serve as tools for ensuring environmental sustainability by the Igbo ethnic group in Imo State, South East Nigeria. In-depth qualitative research is adopted as methodology of the study with data sourced largely from books, journals and ethnographic reports of some communities.  It was found that traditional practices such as belief in totems which included animal, plants and shrines/deities, and traditional modes of agriculture, namely, shifting cultivation, mixed farming and agroforestry exert significant influence in environmental sustainability in the study area. It is recommended that traditional laws that protect the trees, streams and forests, should be integrated into modern environmental laws and practices for continual environmental sustainability.