Managing the Laikom Sacred Forest in the Boyo Highlands of Cameroon: Customary Laws, Traditional Institutions, Taboos and Penalties for Non-Compliance

The Laikom sacred forest, in the Boyo Highlands of Cameroon, is a critical ecological and cultural heritage site governed by centuries-old customary laws and traditional institutions. A study was carried out to assess the roles of indigenous governance, taboos, rituals, and penalties in the management of the 21.9-hectare forest, located in the environs of the Kom Palace in Laikom. Data were collected through key informant interviews and observations. The findings reveal a deeply embedded system of traditional forest governance upheld by key institutions such as the Kwifon (sacred council), Fon, sub-chiefs, traditional practitioners, and women associations (Fumbuien). Customary laws regulate agricultural practices, hunting, cleansing rituals, and forest use, often transmitted through oral traditions, community gatherings, and ceremonies. The forest’s sanctity is protected by taboos against activities such as tree felling, hunting, and unauthorized entry, particularly by women, against severe social, spiritual, and supernatural penalties. Despite the resilience of these traditional systems, Laikom faces growing challenges including encroachment, internal leadership conflicts, climate change, and erosion of cultural knowledge. Nonetheless, traditional management strategies such as community guardianship, ritual ceremonies, and agroforestry practices remain effective in conserving the forest’s biodiversity and cultural relevance. This study underscores the importance of integrating customary laws and traditional institutions into formal environmental policy frameworks. Recognizing and supporting indigenous knowledge systems can enhance biodiversity conservation and cultural preservation. Policy interventions should aim at legally recognizing sacred forests, providing capacity-building for traditional custodians, and fostering collaborative governance models that respect local cultural values while addressing modern conservation challenges.