Independence and colonization of the territory

This inhospitable forest became a territory of "inexhaustible" resources when French settlers and the Ivorian government have developed cutting wood, cocoa and the coffee. Especially since many diseases (malaria, sleeping sickness ...) which decimated the local population could now be effectively combated by modern medicine. In recent decades, the primary forest has almost completely disappeared, and with them many animal species (panthers, elephants, monkeys ...) that no longer exist in the ancient stories.

The zebra duiker: strict endemic area Tai. (Photo Lauginie, UNESCO)

Daman a nest tree. The sacred forest in Zaïpobly home to many. (Photo UNESCO )

The destruction of ecosystems has not benefited the local population. Most of the new wealth generated agricultural activities was captured by Ivorian and French cities and, to a lesser extent, traders, European and Lebanese, ensuring trade between the cocoa area and the rest of the world.

Session libation Zaïpobly. Facing east, the Sages ask permission, protection and blessing of Kwi before any activity in the sacred forest. (Photo UNESCO )

In addition, a veritable "gold rush" brought millions of farmers in the savannah zone (Akan Ivorian Ivorian and Jula, Mali or Burkina Faso) to the frontier of the great forest. Village councils have allocated land free loan to newcomers. Indeed, according to Wei tradition, the land belongs to the village community Wé and can under no circumstances be sold or rented.

This mode of land management is also shared by many peoples of Côte d'Ivoire, for example Senufo. The usufruct of plots is given by the village chief to individuals or non-Wei Wei, depending on the number of dependents and a preferential right to use for someone who has cleared and cultivated land. No financial compensation is required (1). Large areas have also beeing sold by the state to large corporations that have hardly been used to hand out native.

(Source PAMS department, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand)

The disappearance of the rainforest (= primary forest) degradation cleared areas and population growth have created a shortage of land which has profoundly altered the ethnic relations in the country Wé as throughout the South-West of Côte d'Ivoire. In many cases, migrants denied customary law Wé and claimed a right of ownership on land borrowed (transferred by inheritance, sales ...). Moreover, forests and sacred sites Wé summers often destroyed or damaged by migrants who do not respect the local traditions ( UNESCO, where the sacred forest Zaïpobly ). This situation has created a permanent tension between the Wei and non-Aboriginal people who have "colonized" the region since independence.

Role and organization of Kwi Zaïpobly. Management of the sacred forest Zaïpobly is done Kwi, originally the Kwi was a legal institution and police whose jurisdiction extends throughout the complex ethnique.En second position is the "Séan it" . it is the word of Yire door-ba. It mediates between it and Kwi-Agnourou.En Thirdly, the group "Kwi angnonou" or children Kwi, insider responsible for carrying out major works (hand Kwi Force) group, they also act as spies, detectives. The company ensures the forest since its inception in sacred site at the foundation of the village.The authority of Kwi is feared because in a position to impose drastic sanctions sometimes a devastating way. It is mainly for this reason that the elders told their daily management of the sacred forest. (Photo UNESCO )

The history of the last twenty years is marked by sudden outbreaks of violence between the different ethnic communities. The state has let the situation deteriorate and often in favor of the migrants on behalf of Houphouetist principle that "the land belongs to those who cultivate it." These incidents have become more frequent and finally resonate with the tense political situation in Côte d'Ivoire until the failed coup attempt in September 2002.

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 1172