the role of tourism in natural resource management in the okavango ...

Papyrus reeds and real fan palm fibre were available for the production of wall and
floor mats, fences and also storage, winnowing and fishing baskets. Any scrap metal
found was used by blacksmiths to make arrow and spear heads, and knife and tool
blades (Terry, 1984).
Wayeyi were also responsible for the introduction of mekoro boat making into the
Okavango Delta, which was widely adopted by all groups living in the region, for
transport and hunting. All three of these groups hunted hippo and elephant, mostly
with spears, snared antelope and fur-bearing animals, and fished with reed traps,
baskets, nets and spears. The use of traditional hunting weapons ensured that over­
harvesting was not possible (Mbaiwa, 1999).
While fishing and hunting played an important role in the traditional economies of
these groups, laws existed to regulate such activities. Each village had its own
fishing and hunting grounds, and heavy fines and the confiscation of fishing and
hunting equipment was the punishment imposed on individuals that fished/hunted in
another groups/villages territory. Failure to pay fines could result in the poacher
being forcibly incorporated into the village of people whose territorial rights he
violated. Such measures were put in place to protect communal natural resources
from other tribal groups, therefore allowing the availability of the resource into the
next generation (Tlou, 1985; Mbaiwa, 1999).
Hunting was administered through a chief or headman who had power over the land
and natural resources. Hunting was done throughout the year, but at different
intensities, and during the breeding season only male animals were killed. Hunting
was most intense in winter as the lower temperatures meant that meat could be
stored for longer periods. In summer hunting was less intense due to ploughing
activities which both male and females participated in, which gave wildlife time to
recuperate. Birds were hunted throughout the year but during the growing season
troublesome birds species such as guinea fowl and quellea were focused on. This
diversified economy of agriculture and hunting and gathering was important in that
during the ploughing season, when hunting was minimal and veld products
abundant, wildlife would be given a chance to multiply for future use (Campbell,
1995; Thakadu, 1997; Mbaiwa, 1999).
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