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The Rehabilitation of Indigenous Environmental Ethics in Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2024

Workineh Kelbessa
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Abstract

This article explores the rehabilitation of the ethical dimension of human interactions with nature, using cross-cultural perspectives in Africa. Cross-cultural comparison of indigenous concepts of the relationship between people and nature with contemporary environmental and scientific issues facilitate the rehabilitation, renewal and validation of indigenous environmental ethics. Although increasing attention is being given to the environmental concerns of non-western traditions, most of the related research has centered on Asia, Native American Indians and Australian Aborigines with little attention being paid to Africa. However, this study has confirmed that, like other multicultural traditions, African indigenous traditions contain symbolic and ethical messages that are passed from generation to generation in order to ensure respect and compassion for other living creatures. The article shows, however, that not all indigenous knowledge is environmentally friendly. Indigenous and modern environmental ethics alike have something to teach as well as something to learn.

Type
Research Article
Information
Diogenes , Volume 52 , Issue 3 , August 2005 , pp. 17 - 34
Copyright
Copyright © ICPHS 2005

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