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dc.contributor.advisorMack, Beverly
dc.contributor.authorKraus, Erika Beth
dc.date.accessioned2013-01-20T15:48:08Z
dc.date.available2013-01-20T15:48:08Z
dc.date.issued2012-05-31
dc.date.submitted2012
dc.identifier.otherhttp://dissertations.umi.com/ku:12029
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1808/10636
dc.description.abstractThe purpose of this work is to demonstrate how sacred forests in Benin, West Africa, contribute to forest conservation. Local use of natural resources is well-practiced in maintaining wooded space; the same use of those resources allows for modifications in the landscape as the community requires through ritual processes. Sacred groves and the biodiversity they harbor expand and contract in relation to communication between the people and spiritual entities. The framework employed contextualizes the case study of sacred forests in Athiémé, Bénin, from experiences as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the social, geologic, historic, and religious aspects of the society. This position allows for further exploration in the field of forestry on themes of patch dynamics and source-sinks, and sacred groves' roles in biodiversity of non-government regulated lands.
dc.format.extent87 pages
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherUniversity of Kansas
dc.rightsThis item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.
dc.subjectAfrican studies
dc.subjectForestry
dc.subjectBenin
dc.subjectWest Africa
dc.subjectNatural resource conservation
dc.subjectSacred forests
dc.subjectSacred groves
dc.subjectTraditional religion
dc.subjectVodoun
dc.titlePeople and Forests: a case study from Benin, West Africa
dc.typeThesis
dc.contributor.cmtememberAlexander, Shawn L
dc.contributor.cmtememberUkpokodu, Peter
dc.thesis.degreeDisciplineAfrican/African-American Studies
dc.thesis.degreeLevelM.A.
dc.rights.accessrightsopenAccess


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