Geographical Distribution and Socio‐Economic Importance of Raphia ruwenzorica From South‐West of Burundi

ABSTRACT The genus Raphia is among the commonly used and socio‐economically important plants in Africa. While Raphia ruwenzorica species is known to occur in Burundi, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda, its geographical distribution and socioeconomic importance are poorly documented in Burundi. This study maps R. ruwenzorica species from the South‐West region and identifies its socio‐economic importance for the local communities. Different uses and value of the products were investigated using semi‐structured questionnaires on 399 respondents, of which 181 were valid and used for analysis. The number of stands of the species and biophysical properties (diameter and height) were also determined through field inventories. The study site was dominated by adults before flowering compared to the young and adult flowering. The trunks were slender with slightly similar diameter at breast height ranging from 0.42 ± 0.07 to 0.60 ± 0.18 m for all the tree stands. The species distribution ranged from 1300 to 1900 m with predominance between 1600 and 1900 m. R. ruwenzorica plant is used as firewood, construction of fences, manufacture of baskets, beehives, and doors, manufacture of brooms, mats, and exhibition clothes of “Intore” and “Umuyebe” dancers (traditional ceremonial costumes). The value of some products ranged between $2.88 and $57.7 US dollars per year. However, this species seems to be threatened by the expansion of agriculture and hence traditional heritage is disappearing. The quasi absence of this species in the low altitudes would be explained by the expansion and the preference of the population for the culture of palm oil. Conservation measures should be enhanced through on‐farm programs such as tree nurseries.