TRADITIONAL BELIEFS ABOUT SACRED TREES AMONG THE ANNANG PEOPLE OF AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Traditional religious practices and beliefs are often described using derogatory terms. Beliefs about sacred trees or their veneration in Annang traditional society are classified as idol worship by many adherents of other religions. In fact, venerated trees are commonly seen as playgrounds for witches and wizards in Annangland. These beliefs contradict the traditional relevance attached to sacred trees as well as the essentiality of trees to the ecosystem. Therefore, the study articulates the belief in sacred trees in Annangland with a view of identifying trees adjudged to be sacred, as well as identify the eco-spiritual relevance of the beliefs in sacred trees in Annang society. To achieve the aim of the study, the researcher purposively selected and interviewed custodians of Annang customs and traditions from Etim Ekpo, Ukanafun and Abak Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State. The study reveals that Ayop Ilem, Ekom, Ukum, Akanah, Ukpah, Nnung Nung, Nkubia, Unorh and Ukum, are some of the trees that are revered in Annangland. The study identifies that sacred trees have eco-spiritual relevance by virtue of serving spiritual functions, such as being the dwelling place for the spirits of ancestors and deities and adding value to traditional religious rites and rituals, as well as serving as channels for adherents of traditional religion to communicate with the deities and ancestors. At the ecological level, sacred trees boost biodiversity. The study concludes that deforestation due to fear of fetishism and the dearth of information on sacred trees in Annangland threatens the beliefs and as such must be discouraged. The researcher recommends that traditional rulers in Annangland should encourage afforestation and reactivate traditional taboos to prevent deforestation in Annangland. The Department of Forestry of the Ministry of Environment and Solid Minerals should domesticate the action plan contained in Goal 15 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and expedite a state-wide implementation of the National Forest Policy of 2020.