Deforestation, Ecology of Belief And Health Practices In Sapele, Delta

The book is all about unsustainable deforestation which led to disintegration of the traditional institution which maintained health and social order. At the heart of Sapele-Okpe is the forest which sustains their life. Deforestation and the incorporation of Sapele forest economy into world capitalist economy created major problems. The change depicts a broad trend in deforestation and disintegration of beliefs and indigenous health practices. It is an extrapolation of cultural antecedents of Okpe people as it relates to most of African countries which suffer deforestation and diminution of belief. The problem results to exploitation of the incorporated traditional economy into word capitalist market economy. Before the onset of deforestation, the forest was considered sacred in pre-colonial Sapele-Okpe and its destruction was taboo (Uhrui). Forest, cultural beliefs and indigenous practices prescribed the wholesome and sustainable use of its resources. However, the use of the forest in maintaining health and systemic sustainability became untenable with the onset of large scale deforestation since 1940.