The transitions of vegetation and tree utilization by Ovambo agro-pastoralists in Northern Namibia

DOI Web Site

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • ナミビア北部における植生変化と農牧民オヴァンボの建材利用の変遷
  • ナミビア ホクブ ニ オケル ショクセイ ヘンカ ト ノウボクミン オヴァンボ ノ ケンザイ リヨウ ノ ヘンセン

Search this article

Abstract

In the arid region in Southern Africa, the vegetation is rapidly change by human activities. The Ovambo agro-pastoralists in semi-arid Northern Namibia utilize trees for various purposes. The changing vegetation is influencing back to the Ovambo's lives, and new methods for utilization of timber are emerging. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the mutual transition of regional vegetation and timber utilization by Ovambo agro-pastoralists in Northern Namibia.<br>The Ovambo people make house by using many timbers. Especially, they use Mopane tree (Colophospermum mopane) that dominate in Northern Namibia. But recently, it is difficult to use Mopane timber, because Mopane trees that have thick trunk have reduced and tree felling was prohibited by law. On the other hand, indigenous palm trees (Hyphaene petersiana) have been increased, because the Ovambo people eat palm fruits and disperse these seeds. In recent years, people use the petiole of palm tree for building material, and new type of house have been established. When people make a house with palm petiole, it needs many petioles. But it is possible to collect enough petioles as a result of increasing palm tree, and it can lead continuous using of tree resources.

Journal

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top