3.2.1 Spiritual health

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.

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