Bushmeat from all perspectives

In the new book Bushmeat. Culture, Economy and Conservation in Central Africa, Theodore Trefon analyses the environmental, social and economic aspects of bushmeat consumption in the Congo basin.

""

 

Tradition, economy and proteins

Every year, tens of millions of wild animals are harvested in Central Africa to respond to the craving for their meat. Almost all animals, from the largest mammals to the smallest insects, are hunted, traded and consumed.

‘Culturally and economically, bushmeat is extremely important in Central Africa’, explains Theodore Trefon, researcher at the AfricaMuseum. ‘Bushmeat consumption provides vital income and nutrition for millions of people.’

Séphora, a bushmeat market seller in Ouesso, Republic of Congo, explaining her work to Trefon
Séphora, a bushmeat market seller in Ouesso, Republic of Congo, explaining her work to Trefon. ‘Bushmeat is everything: it’s money and food, it’s what makes me feel good.’
Photo @ CMavah

Wildlife is under severe and increasing pressure

The growing demand for bushmeat means the wildlife of Central Africa is being decimated.

While unsustainable hunting pose clear problems for wildlife conservation, it also increases the risk of rural food insecurity and of new infectious diseases emerging - as HIV, Ebola and Covid-19 have shown. 

‘But cultural attachment to bushmeat makes this crisis difficult to solve’, says Trefon. ‘My book shows that management strategies by national governments and international NGOs to mitigate unsustainable hunting are largely inefficient.’

A holistic approach

Bushmeat explores questions ranging from deforestation and conservation strategies to infectious diseases, hunting practices, consumption motivations, supply and demand dynamics, urban street food, and weak law enforcement capacity.

Theodore Trefon takes an anthropological approach to the subject.

‘In my book, I’ve tried to humanise the discourse on the 'bushmeat crisis' by looking at wildlife through local attitudes and behaviours, without taking sides or being judgemental’, says Trefon.

More info

The book Bushmeat. Culture, Economy and Conservation in Central Africa has been published by Hurst and is part of the African Arguments series. A French translation is planned. > Order the book

In February 2020, Theodore Trefon gave a lecture entitled Bushmeat. The culture and economy of eating wild animals in Central Africa, as part of the MuseumTalks. > Watch his lecture