Woody Plants in Dialan and other Ritual Practices within the Biocultural Landscape of Niokolo Koba National Park, Senegal

Abstract We examine the ritual use of woody species in seven villages near Niokolo Koba National Park in Senegal, focusing on tree-based rituals within the Dialan belief system. Local communities reported 41 species used in rituals, with Khaya senegalensis, Piliostigma thonningii, Daniellia oliveri , and Anogeissus leiocarpa being the most frequently mentioned. Among these, Khaya senegalensis, Ceiba pentandra, Adansonia digitata , and Ficus gnaphalocarpa are the main species venerated as Dialan altars. Ritual activities include baths, drinks, fumigation, amulets, mask rituals, sacrifices, offerings, and incantations, often performed in specific areas within villages, their surroundings, or the park. Dialan practice is especially prominent among isolated Bassari communities in the southeast. We documented this tradition to deepen our understanding of past and present human–environment interactions, preserve traditional knowledge, and highlight the importance of integrating spiritual and biocultural factors into conservation and land management.