The Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria have a lot of pride in observing their traditions which have been passed on for generations. However, some of these traditions have been carried out in ways that seem to destroy local flora and fauna. For instance, bird (eagle) feathers and elephant tusks are used a lot as part of regalia ([url]http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=6&ved=0CDQQFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jstor.org%2Fstable%2F40174764&ei=ifHFTdyBLJCGhQf9u4T3Aw&usg=AFQjCNHbf_DpXkiUMZg_NMD4DdzKicfl7A[/url]). They have also been trading in elephant tusks for centuries. But have the Igbo considered how their use without giving back to the environment has led to the dwindling fauna populations. Also, their craze for or preponderance of traditional titles (http://onlineresearchjournals.com/aajoss/art/63.pdf) puts further pressure on the biotic environment. I wonder if there are any elephants at all over there.

That is not to say that other ethnic groups in Nigeria are not culpable. Perhaps similar practices led to the extinction of elephants on these areas, hence the absence of feathers and tusks from their own regalia.

I do know that the Yoruba people use leaves during various rites like the conferment of chieftaincy titles and rarely employ some animal parts for some exotic medical purposes. I have also heard that the heavy use of the leaves of Thaumatoccus daniellii (http://www.tropentag.de/2003/abstracts/full/305.pdf), which is a natural source of the intensely sweet protein known as thaumatin, for preparing moin-moin and eko, preservation of locust beans, and so on is causing the disappearance of the plant.

On 6 May 2011 Reuters (http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/06/us-kenya-ivory-idUSTRE7453ED20110506?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews) and BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13314780) reported that over one tonne of ivory or 115 elephant tusks were found in metal containers at Nairobi's international airport in Kenya. The destination was Nigeria ― rather obnoxious, don't you think ― but the address is was yet to be disclosed. My opinion is that most of it was to be shipped out of Nigeria while taking advantage of her porous borders and some corrupt government officials. But, is it possible that some or a large chunk was destined for southeastern Nigeria? Below is a reproduction of the news from BBC.

I am not trying to talk down a people. I just want us to question and reason together about our traditions. That one person or some persons started them some years ago does not mea that we have to accept them hook, line and sinker. Perhaps the imbalance we see in our environment today is a result of us observing a part of some of these traditions while the other part(s) which might have been meant to compensate have been forgotten. How about we investigate the source and veracity.

Are you aware of any other of such questionable traditions? Please share.

Dozens of elephant tusks seized at Nairobi airport

Dozens of elephant tusks seized at Nairobi airport


Environmentalists believe poaching is on the increase in Kenya
More than one tonne of ivory has been seized at Nairobi's international airport, Kenyan police have said.

About 115 elephant tusks were found by sniffer dogs inside metal containers bound for an address in Nigeria.

It was the largest seizure in recent months, police said. Last year, two tonnes of ivory and five rhino horns were found at Nairobi's airport.

Officials believe Kenya has become a transit point for international ivory smuggling, largely to Asia.

"We are suspecting they could be from here or neighbouring countries and we are on their toes. We must get them," Eunice Kiheko, deputy police chief at the airport, told the Associated Press.

"They have killed many, many elephants and we cannot allow this."

The shipment labels said the containers originated from two foreign embassies in Kenya which do not exist, officials said.

No arrests have yet been made.

Those tusks,

I agree with you, just because something is a traditional practice does not mean that it is OK to do it. FGM is another "traditional" practice that most people today consider barbaric and I believe it is outlawed in most parts of Nigeria. Maybe it's time to pass stricter laws to protect endangered animals as well.

I'm even curious about the origin of genital mutilation across Yoruba land