Natural resources management in the Sahel: Uses and customs at the service

In the worst-case scenario, if the conflict escalates in violence as a result of the warring parties’ ignorance or stubbornness, regardless of the form or intensity of the conflict, the intervention of a third person through the mobilisation of the alliance puts an 60 end to the hostilities. [...] The owner is known as “Bamboudo,” in other words “the one who carries on his back,” and those he takes under his wing are called the “Bambaado,” or “the one carried on the back.” The • The passage of animals through the camps between the Tuareg and the Arabs of Mauritania, latter is treated as a son of the family; the Bamboudo will, once the Bambaado reaches the age of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Fas. [...] • The sacrifice of oxen by the Maures of the Guiré and Nara circles in Mali: At the beginning of the rainy season, the Maures of these communes make an offering of oxen to the chiefs or Marabouts whose prayers must ensure the abundance of rains. [...] Some habits and customs in terms of access to and exploitation of natural resources • The ban on cutting baobab leaves after the first rains in the northern regions and the Burkinabe Sahel: In the Foulbé, Mossi, and Dogon communities, it is strictly forbidden to cut baobab The same logic prevails with regard to the habits and customs governing the exploitation of natural leaves after the first rai. [...] The established When the rules are as follows: • The right of everyone to access the pond has been re- pastoralists ease cognised; their watch, the • The distribution of pitchforks made by local Gao region The ponds • The surroundings of the pond are divided between the animals go to the customary authorities must be respected.