Looking over Tanguieta. Rudi Verspoor, Flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0.
Sacred Forests of Benin: Sacred forests are ubiquitous features of many black communities. The forests often have associated myths and taboos on the use of specific plants and hunting of certain species of animals within the area. As such, these landscapes contribute to forest conservation and are important global biodiversity repositories.
In Benin, there are thousands of sacred forests which have for centuries been preserved and protected by local communities. Studies have documented how sacred forests in Benin make significant contributions to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. They provide refugia for numerous species, providing important benefits such as pollinating insects and birds to the surrounding lands. These sites also have social benefits through inspiring community involvement in conservation, supporting local history and folklore.
In 2012 a formal law was passed giving legal recognition and protection to sacred forests in Benin, recognising them as sites where gods, spirits and ancestors reside. Similar landscapes and practices can be found in many communities in Africa and black communities in Latin America and the Caribbean.