ka-Bwa hunting customs, local management, and legal hunting practices Between savannah and river: the ecological identity of Boucle du Mouhoun Boucle du Mouhoun, named after the mighty Black Volta River (Mouhoun), is one of Burkina Faso’s most fertile and ecologically dynamic regions. Its terrain blends wooded savannah, riparian thickets, and isolated gallery forests stretching along the river’s meanders. The seasonal rhythms of rainfall and dry winds shape both the movement of wildlife and the habits of the hunters who live in this semi-humid zone. While agricultural expansion has deeply impacted land cover, the region still shelters pockets of wildland — especially near the Deux Balés Forest and along the banks of tributaries like the Sourou and Bani. The cultural heartbeat of traditional hunting communities Among the Marka, Bwa, and Dafing peoples of Boucle du Mouhoun, hunting has long been woven into the cultural fabric of everyday life. Traditionally practiced during the dry season, hunting coincided with the end of the agricultural cycle and was both a food-gathering act and a social ritual. Hunters were respected as skilled trackers, often operating in groups, sharing meat with elders, and observing strict taboos. Knowledge of animal calls, trails, and seasonal migrations was passed through generations. In some communities, hunters held spiritual authority, using charms and invoking ancestors before entering sacred bushland. What makes Boucle du Mouhoun a unique hunting ground Unlike arid northern zones or densely cultivated central regions, Boucle du Mouhoun offers a delicate balance between riverine fertility and wilderness resilience. Its proximity to the Volta system supports a range of fauna, particularly antelope, warthogs, and birds. Though no longer a major trophy hunting destination, the region retains its traditional identity as a hunter’s homeland — where forest enclaves are still navigated by memory and instinct. Areas like the Deux Balés Forest Reserve and forest corridors near Dédougou serve as remaining strongholds for species in decline, attracting bushmeat hunters and researchers alike. Species encountered and techniques handed down over centuries Among the game still present in the region are oribi, red-fronted gazelles, duikers, warthogs, bush rabbits, and civets. Guinea fowl, partridges, and doves are widely hunted, particularly around millet fields and water points. Hunting methods include pitfall traps, snares, and the use of locally crafted firearms. In some areas, hunters still use dogs trained over generations or employ traditional baits laced with herbal substances. Despite technological changes, the core approach remains low-impact, with emphasis on tracking and deep familiarity with terrain. Hunting seasons, regulations, and legal ambiguity In theory, hunting in Burkina Faso is governed by national law under the Ministry of Environment, Water and Sanitation. The official hunting season generally runs from December to May, aligning with the dry season. Licenses are required for both weapons and species targeting, and hunting is prohibited in protected zones without special permits. However, in practice — especially in rural areas like Boucle du Mouhoun — enforcement is weak, and customary law often prevails. Village elders may declare local bans, approve group hunts, or protect species believed to be linked to spirits. Decline of game populations and shifting ecological pressures Boucle du Mouhoun, once rich in wildlife, has seen considerable loss of biodiversity due to habitat fragmentation, bushfires, and agricultural encroachment. Protected areas such as the Deux Balés Forest have suffered from illegal logging and overhunting, while migratory corridors have narrowed or vanished. Climate change has also altered animal behavior and seasonal patterns. Yet, local communities remain key players in conservation: some villages have revived traditional restrictions on hunting, and youth cooperatives are exploring agroforestry and game preservation as alternative livelihoods. Spiritual taboos, animal symbolism, and the invisible law of the bush Among traditional hunters, certain animals carry deeper meanings — the porcupine symbolizes discretion, the duiker is linked to agility and foresight, and the warthog is a sign of resilience. Sacred groves are avoided during particular moon phases, and hunters may abstain from entering the bush after ominous dreams. Before long hunts, libations are poured, and the path is spiritually “opened” through chants or protective amulets. Some families keep relics — old rifles, bones, horns — as tokens of ancestral connection to the hunt. Local memories, little-known practices, and the fading sound of footpaths In some hamlets near Boromo, hunters still carve notches into trees to mark migration paths — a system passed down like a map through generations. Along the banks of the Mouhoun, elders tell of “talking birds” that warn the animals, prompting hunters to listen in silence before advancing. Some believe that a hunter’s success is determined by the first animal he dreams of after the millet harvest. These practices — subtle, profound, and often unrecorded — define the region’s unique hunting heritage.