The theoretical link between endogenous cultural institutions (ECIs) and the regulation of natural resource access and use in sub-Saharan Africa is re-gaining its position in theory and practice. This is partly explained by growing resource use inefficiency, linked to predominantly exogenous, centralized institutions. The current situation has rekindled interest to understand what is left of ECIs that can support natural resource use and management in several natural resource contexts, including protected areas. To provide answers to these questions, in-depth studies with a geographic orientation are required. Put succinctly, a spaio-temporal evidence base of ECIs around protected areas is relevant in today’s dispensation. Such evidence is required for rich natural resource and culturally diverse settings such as Cameroon—having over 250 ethnic groups. This paper explores space time dynamics of ECIs around two of Cameroon’s protected areas—Santchou and Bakossi landscapes. Specifically we: (i) identified and categorized ECIs linked to protected area management, (ii) analyzed their spatio-temporal dynamics and discuss their implications for protected area management. The study is informed by key informant interviews (N = 22) and focus group discussions (N = 6). Using descriptive statistics, the key resources around these protected areas were categorized. Furthermore, narratives and thematic analysis constituted the key element of qualitative analysis. In addition, an analysis of the spatial distribution of ECIs was conducted. Based on our analysis, we derived the following conclusions: (1) Institutions that assume an endogenous cultural nature in some communities potentially exhibit an exogenous origin with a perennial nature; while some ECIs may assume ephemeral to intermittent nature, despite being culturally embedded in communities. (2) While present day ECIs regulate the use of natural resources around protected areas, they were not initially set up for this purpose. (3) Even within the same ethnic group, ECIs exhibit spatio-temporal variations. The results suggest the need for Cameroon’s on-going revision of the legal framework to emphasize context-specific elements of ECI which could leverage protected area management.

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Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil that comes from the fruit of oil palm trees. The production of oil palm from its Fresh Fruit Punches (FFP) is commonly practice in the Santchou Sub-Divison west region of Cameroon. It is mostly done at a small scale by smallholders with at least 1-5 hectares of oil palm plantation. The productivity of oil palm depends on smallholders’ participation in certification and other livelihood strategy. The main objective of this study was to examine smallholders’ participation in oil palm certification and livelihood strategy in Santchou. This study was carried out using the case study approach which enable a field survey to be conducted in order to examine smallholders’ participation in certification and livelihood strategy. A total of 185 questionnaires were administered using a random sampling technique to three targeted communities within the Santchou subdivision. Ten interviews were conducted to complement the questionnaire in generating qualitative data for the study. Data collected was later analyse with the use of statistical data tool such as excel, software and spsss data tool and presented on maps, charts and tables. from the data collected, it was observed that very limited number of smallholder are fully involved in oil palm certification. A large number of smallholder oil palm production are engage in other sources of livelihood as livelihood strategy for survival. It was recommended that due to the enormous benefits of certification for the purpose of high productivity, authorities should make certification a reality amongst smallholders.

Communities in several parts of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) depend on natural resources for their sustenance. While growing pressure on such resources has been accused of framing conflicts, the power and convictions dimension of such conflicts remains relatively less explored. Taking the case of Cameroon, this paper undertakes an explorative analysis of power and convictions around land and linked natural resources. Specifically, the paper maps harmful convictions and their role in steering unequal access to land and linked natural resources; explores power manifestations among different categories of resource use actors; and discusses the role of different typologies of actors in shaping harmful convictions linked to land and other natural resources. Qualitative data derived from four communities in the greater south region informed this study: focus group discussions (14), key informants, and expert interviews (25) were employed. Using the actor-centred power analytical lens, the analysis entailed the use of directed content analysis, thematic analysis and narratives. The results indicate the following: Firstly, while ethnic/region-based and elitism-based harmful convictions significantly drive land resource access, gender-based and religious-based convictions are less recurrent. Secondly, while elitism-based actors exercise power through coercion, religious and political actors employ (dis)incentives and dominant information, respectively, in their quest for forestland. Thirdly, elitism-based and ethnic/region-based actors are at the centre of harmful convictions around land and linked natural resources. The results inform the actor-centred power concept, with emphasis on convictions around land and linked natural resources. Future studies should explore the conflict implications of these harmful convictions.