In terms of spiritual health, many wild animals have spiritual and cultural association in Africa (see e.g., de Vos 1978, Ntiamoa-Baidu, 1987; 1992; 1995; Sanagho, 1991; Adeola 1992). Such animals may be regarded as sacred and accorded special respect or regarded with fear and may not be touched or killed because of religious or cultural dicta. Wild animals with spiritual and cultural uses fall into three main categories (Ntiamoa-Baidu, 1995):
Totem species: animals/plants regarded as symbols of an existing, intimate, unseen relationship; accorded respect and considered sacred. These may not be killed or eaten.
Tabooed species: a) animals regarded as sacred or holy because of some protection, guidance or help accorded to the ancestors through association with the species; and b) animals regarded as unclean and abhorred because of some misfortune in the past associated with the species. In both cases, eating, killing or even touching of such animals may be forbidden. Among the Akans in Ghana, the tradition is inherited through the male line i.e., a father passes it on to his children.
Table 3.9 Numbers and value (US$) of hey live wild animal species exported from Ghana (Source: Wildlife Department Records)
Species |
1990 |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
||||||
Number |
Value |
Number |
Value |
Number |
Value |
Number |
Value |
Number |
Value |
Number |
Value |
|
Green Crested Touraco | 190 | 1,425 | 194 | 1,552 | - | - | - | - | 15 | 113 | 110 | 825 |
Violet Plantain Eater | 7 | 53 | 18 | 144 | 4 | 32 | -- | - | 10 | 75 | 25 | 188 |
Doves | 200 | 200 | 1.230 | 2.214 | 190 | 342 | - | - | - | - | 865 | 1,557 |
Finches & canaries | 751 | 263 | 1,380 | 701 | 640 | 412 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 334 | 189 |
Royal Python | 13.418 | 67,090 | 12,647 | 63,235 | 21.863 | 109,315 | 28.723 | 143,615 | 18,614 | 93,070 | 22,669 | 113,345 |
African Python | 1.990 | 9,950 | 629 | 3.145 | 1,306 | 6,530 | 658 | - | 665 | 3,325 | 385 | 1.925 |
Calabar Python | 115 | 431 | 348 | 1.305 | 486 | 1,944 | 100 | 160 | 161 | 258 | 333 | 533 |
Bosc's Monitor Lizard | 3,519 | 6,334 | 71.332 | 12,838 | 7,861 | 14,150 | 6,900 | 12,420 | 8,153 | 275 | 11,992 | 21,586 |
Adders | 15 | 105 | 16 | 150 | 24 | 226 | 46 | 368 | 71 | 568 | 12 | 96 |
Rhinoceros Viper | 23 | 230 | 46 | 460 | 73 | 1,022 | 223 | 1,784 | 239 | 1,912 | 110 | 880 |
Black Cobra | 11 | 77 | 5 | 55 | 37 | 407 | 112 | - | - | - | - | |
Gabon Viper | 27 | 270 | 236 | 2,360 | 156 | - | 353 | 2,824 | 356 | 2,848 | 204 | 1,632 |
Agama Lizard | 3,567 | 3,924 | 4,490 | 4,939 | 3,640 | 4,004 | 5,815 | 6,397 | 3,970 | 4,367 | 4,305 | 4,736 |
Sklink | 2,265 | 2,492 | 4,007 | 4,408 | 4,215 | 4,637 | 5,240 | 5.764 | 6.565 | 7,221 | 8,560 | 9,416 |
Wall Gecko | 530 | 292 | 2,355 | 2,120 | 1,051 | 946 | 1,250 | 1,125 | 790 | 711 | 1,160 | 1,044 |
Fat Tail Gecko | 1,004 | 904 | 902 | 722 | 729 | 583 | 1,891 | 1,702 | 1,406 | 1,265 | 1,259 | 1,133 |
Chameleon | 2,442 | 2,686 | 2,689 | 2,958 | 2,213 | 24,343 | 2,144 | 2,358 | 1,406 | 1,547 | 1,577 | 1,735 |
Tortoises | 3,071 | 11,363 | 2,515 | 9,305 | 1,370 | 5,069 | 969 | 3,682 | 1,257 | 4,777 | 1,157 | 4,397 |
Marsh Terrapin | 1,490 | 4,172 | 1,108 | 3,102 | 3,656 | 10,237 | 1,775 | 1,775 | 605 | 605 | 1,326 | 1,326 |
Gaboon Terrapin | 420 | 1,176 | 260 | 728 | 245 | 686 | 235 | 235 | 515 | 515 | 745 | 745 |
Tree Frog | 490 | 137 | 895 | 251 | 670 | 188 | 990 | 2,772 | 580 | 162 | 1,150 | 322 |
Scorpions | 6,139 | 6,752 | 9,647 | 10,612 | 14,205 | 15,625 | 7,845 | 8,630 | 13,367 | 14,704 | 20,626 | 22,689 |
Millipedes | 1,139 | 626 | 1,870 | 1,029 | 2,076 | 1,142 | 1,570 | 785 | 1,340 | 670 | 840 | 420 |
Patas Monkey | 141 | 2,538 | 36 | 648 | 20 | 360 | 12 | 216 | 59 | 1,062 | 31 | 558 |
Green Monkey | 1 | 18 | 22 | 396 | 20 | 360 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Spot Nose Monkey | 109 | 1,962 | 41 | 738 | 163 | 2,934 | 86 | 1,548 | 120 | 2,160 | 101 | 1,818 |
Mona Monkey | 38 | 684 | 31 | 558 | 78 | 1,404 | 29 | 522 | 51 | 918 | 73 | 1,314 |
Soft Shell Turtle | 50 | 140 | 225 | 714 | 25 | 70 | 4 | 112 | 34 | 95 | ||
Toad | 705 | 197 | 770 | 216 | 530 | 148 | 1,500 | 420 | 250 | 70 | 550 | 154 |
[louse Gecko | 1,150 | 1,035 | 300 | 270 | 750 | - | 150 | - | - | - | - | - |
Praying Mantis | 250 | 50 | 1.300 | 260 | 1,120 | 224 | 1,249 | 625 | 1.310 | 655 | 1,030 | 515 |
Frogs | 1,100 | 308 | 1,100 | 308 | 2.544 | 713 | 2,505 | 701 | 2,305 | 645 | 2,115 | 5,103 |
Total value | 127,884 | 132.441 | 208,053 | 144,497 | 200,274 |
Sacrificial and/or ceremonial species: animals used in specific cultural rites and festivals, either in the rituals or in the preparation of the special dishes that go with such ceremonies.
Wild animals with spiritual or cultural associations in Ghana include the Leopard (totem of the Bretuo clan of the Akans),Buffalo (totem of the Ekoona clan); African Grey Parrot (totem of the Agona clan); Pied Crow (totem of the Asona clan). In many cases, the belief in the association is so strong that the psychological effects on an individual who breaks any of the taboos and is unable to fulfil the purification/pacification rites dictated can become manifested in mental or physical illness.