Traditional Products Made from Plant Fibers Produced by the Local Population of the Wamba Valley in Democratic Republic of Congo

Authors

Ntalakwa Makolo Theophane, Laboratory of Systemics, Biodiversity, Nature Conservation and Endogenous Knowledge (LSBCSE), Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Kinshasa, B.P. 190 Kinshasa X, DR Congo.Follow
Mayanu Pemba Bibiche, Laboratory of Systemics, Biodiversity, Nature Conservation and Endogenous Knowledge (LSBCSE), Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Kinshasa, B.P. 190 Kinshasa X, DR Congo.Follow
Mapey Efifi, Department of Geography and Environmental Management, Higher Pedagogical Institute of Gombe/Kinshasa
Kidikwadi Tango Eustache, Laboratory of Systemics, Biodiversity, Nature Conservation and Endogenous Knowledge (LSBCSE), Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Kinshasa, B.P. 190 Kinshasa X, DR Congo.
Belesi Katula Honore, Laboratory of Systemics, Biodiversity, Nature Conservation and Endogenous Knowledge (LSBCSE), Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Kinshasa, B.P. 190 Kinshasa X, DR Congo.
Lubini Ayingweu Constantin, Laboratory of Systemics, Biodiversity, Nature Conservation and Endogenous Knowledge (LSBCSE), Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Kinshasa, B.P. 190 Kinshasa X, DR Congo.

Abstract

This study on the traditional, socio-cultural and commercial values of handicrafts based on fiber plants made by the local populations of the Wamba Valley was carried out within the framework of the development of local forest resources. The main objective was to study the socio-cultural and commercial values of handicrafts made from fiber plants in the study area with a view to considering the conservation and sustainable use of plant resources. The methodological approach was based on observations, inventories of objects made on the basis of fiber plant products supported by survey techniques. The main results show that several objects of value (traditional, socio-cultural, and commercial) are made on the basis of products extracted from the fibers of Raphia, Eremosphata and Urena lubata. This is particularly the case for objects such as hats, bags, sandals, clothes (clothing), baskets, shelves, chairs and rugs. These objects have various economic values, but on average the overall value (the price) of these objects is 562 ± 80 $ i.e. a median of 20 and a mode of 0.5 in the city and 425,3 ± 60.9 $ i.e. a median of 15 and a mode of 0.3 in the town. These objects also respond to cultural and social values. They represent cultural identities of the studied ethnic groups. To avoid the scarcity of these resources in ecosystems, it is important to reconcile use with conservation.

Article History

Received: July 06, 2022; Accepted: Jan 24, 2023; Published: March 30, 2023

Recommended Citation

Theophane, N. M., Bibiche, M. P., Efifi, M., Eustache, K. T., Honore, B. K., & Constantin, L. A. (2023). Traditional Products Made from Plant Fibers Produced by the Local Population of the Wamba Valley in Democratic Republic of Congo, Journal of Bioresource Management, 10 (1).