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Rebuilding the Local Landscape: Environmental Management in Burkina Faso

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This book is an excellent example of applied environmental management theory. The author bases his theoretical conclusions on an in-depth study of three comparative villages in southern Burkina Faso. It is a prime example to students of geography and environmental management how to carry out fieldwork for undergraduate or postgraduate studies. The book presents the case that indigenous knowledge systems and a constantly evolving communal management system regulates and improves environmental management and therefore, food production. Three ethnic groups are presented: the Nuni (indigenous sedentary farmers), the Mossi (immigrant sedentary farmers) and the Fulani (immigrant cattle herders), and these are examined from an anthropological viewpoint. The author then goes on to explain, in spite of nightmare scenarios from international development organisations, these ethnic groups come together to form new customary law arrangements which optimise environmental management. This is shown through detailed case study material, anthropological and participatory appraisal and village time sequence mapping. The author concludes the study with a strong last chapter on the knowledge gaps between western professionals and African farmers and the problems this causes in development in general.