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Biodiversity and the Ancestors: Challenges to Customary and Environmental Law

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Biodiversity and the Ancestors: Challenges to Customary and Environmental Law BIODIVERSITY AND THE ANCESTORS: CHALLENGES TO CUSTOMARY AND ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CASE STUDIES FROM NAMIBIA EDITED BY MANFRED O. HINZ AND OLIVER C. RUPPEL This publication is dedicated to the memory of Nanzala Siyambango who was murdered on 31 March 2007. Deadly bullets terminated her earthly life while she was preparing to enter an LL M programme under the BIOTA Project. Her commitment as a promising student in African customary law, her commitment as a human being, and her commitment in the spirit of humanity will not be forgotten. TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface ...................................................................................................................................v The contributors.................................................................................................................vii Editors’ note.........................................................................................................................xi Acknowledgements ...........................................................................................................xiii List of abbreviations ..........................................................................................................xv Note on the use of words in African languages...............................................................xvi List of photographs ...........................................................................................................xvi Map of Namibia................................................................................................................xvii PART I: LEGAL PROTECTION OF BIODIVERSITY IN NAMIBIA ......................... Legal protection of biodiversity in Namibia ......................................................................3 Manfred O. Hinz and Oliver C. Ruppel 1. Biodiversity in perspective ...........................................................................................3 2. The global level ............................................................................................................7 3. The African and regional level ...................................................................................20 4. The national level (I): Constitutional foundations and policies .................................24 5. The national level (II): Statutory enactments and bills in preparation .......................41 6. The protection of biodiversity under customary law..................................................56 7. The BIOTA framework, research design and assumptions ........................................59 PART II: LAND .................................................................................................................63 Land allocation and the protection of biodiversity: A case study of Mbunza ...............65 Tulimeke M. W. Koita 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................65 2. The protection of land under Mbunza customary law ................................................68 3. Conclusion ..................................................................................................................74 Disputed land: Owambo cattle farmers in Ukwangali....................................................75 Julia Mushimba 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................75 2. Background ................................................................................................................78 i Table of contents 3. Socio-cultural factors behind the conflict ...................................................................82 4. Eviction orders ...........................................................................................................84 5. Conclusion ..................................................................................................................86 PART III: GRASS ..............................................................................................................89 Grass as a natural resource: A case study of Uukwambi ................................................9 Ntinda Mbushandje 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................91 2. Grass and Uukwambi customary law .........................................................................93 3. Conclusion ................................................................................................................100 Overgrazing and grazing rights: A case study of Ovitoto ............................................0 Ray-wood Mavetja Rukoro 1. Introduction ..............................................................................................................101 2. Grazing: A common right? .......................................................................................103 3. Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 113 Farming in a politically divided community: A case study of Berseba ....................... 115 Philanda Blockstein 1. Introduction .............................................................................................................. 115 2. Remedies against overgrazing .................................................................................. 117 3. Conclusion ................................................................................................................121 PART IV: MEDICINAL PLANTS .................................................................................7 Medicinal plants: A case study of Uukwambi ................................................................9 Victory H. Gabriel 1. Introduction ..............................................................................................................129 2. Healing with herbs: Relic of the past?......................................................................130 3. Conclusion ................................................................................................................136 PART V: FISH ..................................................................................................................37 The catching of fish under Uukwambi customary law ..................................................39 Tomas M. Nekongo 1. Introduction ..............................................................................................................139 2. Fish swim in water: Water is life ..............................................................................140 3. Conclusion ................................................................................................................148 Fishing among the Topnaar: An expropriated tradition ..............................................5 Clever Mapaure 1. Introduction ..............................................................................................................151 ii Table of contents 2. Sea and land: Sacred gifts ........................................................................................154 3. Sustainability through tradition ................................................................................161 4. Customary inter- and intragenerational equity .........................................................164 5. Conclusion ................................................................................................................172 PART VI: TREES ............................................................................................................75 The protection of trees: A case study of Otjombinde ....................................................77 Vetu Uanivi 1. Introduction ..............................................................................................................177 2. Trees under threat .....................................................................................................178 3. Conclusion ................................................................................................................184 Kiaat trees for wood-carving: A Kavango case study ...................................................85 Ainna Vilengi Kaundu 1. Introduction ..............................................................................................................185 2. When the last tree has fallen.....................................................................................188 3. Conclusion ................................................................................................................195 Forest conservation and the role of traditional leaders: A case study of the Bukalo Community Forest ...........................................................................................................97 Mwendekwa Muhongo 1. Introduction ..............................................................................................................197 2. Community forest in progress .................................................................................199 3. Conclusion ................................................................................................................207 PART VII: FINDINGS AND THE WAY FORWARD ..................................................09 Findings and the way forward ........................................................................................ 211 Manfred O. Hinz 1. Summary
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