However, when examining the value of mangroves one might easily overlook their spiritual significance for neighbouring communities, which can be expressed through festivals, religious rites, taboos and the establishment of sacred areas. People living closely with mangroves have many traditional beliefs about the spiritual importance of these forests and the supernatural forces and agents which inhabit them. The strong presence of traditional culture and religion could contribute to a sustainable management of mangrove forests and ultimately to their conservation. The following will give some examples about the spiritual values of mangroves.
Kenya
Many sites in East Africa were considered sacred, with severe restrictions on the harvesting of trees and other resources. People offending against these restrictions were liable to a wide range of supernatural punishments, including beating by sticks by angry spirits, miscarriage and chronic illness. At our site in Gazi Bay, there are a number of shrines dedicated to local spirits, ‘Mr Kipepeo’, a butterfly spirit, located and ‘Mr Zidi’, an enormous fish spirit. Both of these spirits can be petitioned for help, often with small gifts of rose water and with payments to the shaman who will intercede on behalf of the petitioner. shrines built in the mangrove forests are worshiped by the local people, who believe spirits of the shrine will bring death to those who cut the surrounding trees.
Sundarban (Bangladesh/India)
Tradition conservation in India has been practiced for a long time through sacred groves - forest patches which are protected by the community for their religious beliefs. Strict regulations are being enforced through the villagers which prohibit any kind of exploitation, except for temple purposes. Bonbibi, a saint familiar to both Muslim and Hindu, represents the power and resources of the mangroves. The vow to the goddess promises that not more is taken from the forests than actually needed. Bonbibi reminds the people to live within the ecological boundaries of this habitat to sustain and conserve it for current and future generations.