croyances locales et stratégies d'adaptation aux variations climatiques à korhogo (côte d'ivoire)

Local Beliefs and Strategies of Adaptation to Climate Change in Korhogo (Ivory Coast). Over the last decades, the area of Korhogo, Ivory Coast, has experienced climatic variations that disturbed populations' agricultural activities. This study was conducted from March 2009 to February 2012 in order to identify the causes perceptible by the populations of the climate variability and environmental change, and their endogenous strategies of adaptation. A qualitative approach based on semi-structured interviews, life stories and focus group discussions has been used for data collection. The historical and comprehensive method enabled to establish a relationship between populations' perceptions and beliefs and their endogenous strategies of adaptation. The populations notice an extension of the dry season at the expenses of the rainy season, advanced deterioration of vegetation, of the drying up of the sources of water supply (rivers, backwaters and wells), and disappearance of some wild animals like elephant and hyena and of some plant species used by sculptors and traditional healers. The survey also shows that populations' adaptation strategies are mainly based on local traditional beliefs and knowledge which are at the same time a barrier and an opportunity for the adaptation to climate variability. This article shows the importance of taking into account local knowledge in order to develop efficient adaptation strategies.