Sam, Ime Edet; Onnoghen N. Usang and Etefia, Titus E.
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to examine the influence of African traditional religion and practices on sustainable conservation of natural resources in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Two null hypotheses were formulated to direct the study. The hypotheses were tested at .05 level of significance. The literature reviewed was based on the sub- variables of the study. The survey research design was adopted for the study. The choice of this design was to enable the researcher examine the phenomena under investigation as it exists presently in the study area. Purposive sampling technique was adopted to select six autonomous communities that have played significant role in the conservation of the natural resources available in the environment. To select the 400 respondents used for the study, stratified random sampling techniques was used. The questionnaire was the instrument used to obtain data for the study. The instrument was tested for reliability using Cronbach Alpha reliability test. The result of the test showed the calculated value range of .85 to .97 which implies that, the instrument is reliable enough to measure what is was purported to measure. Data obtained for this study was tested using Pearson product moment correlation (r) statistical analysis. The results obtained from data analysis revealed that, there is a significant relationship between totemism practice, evil forest practice and sustainable conservation of natural resources in the study area. Based on the result from the findings, conclusion and recommendations were made. One of the recommendations is that, environmental conservation issues should form an integral part of the teachings in various churches and mosques in the country to help reinforce positive attitude among their members and change negative ones.