PERCEPTION OF CLIMATIC DISTURBANCES AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES: IMPACT OF LOCAL BELIEFS AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS: THE CASE OF THE TERRITORY OF IKELA/TSHUAPA/D.R. CONGO

Climate disruptions represent a major challenge for rural populations in developing countries, affecting ecosystems, economic activities and food security. This study examines the perception of these disturbances and the adaptation strategies of the inhabitants of the territory of Ikela (Democratic Republic of Congo) according to their local beliefs and sociodemographic factors. On a sample of 200 residents, the data was collected via a structured questionnaire and analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. The results show that the majority of inhabitants interpret climatic disturbances through a magical-religious and ancestral prism, with variations according to gender and level of education. Adaptation practices are mainly symbolic, with prayer being privileged, while technical alternatives remain little known or applied. These findings highlight the importance of integrating cultural and educational dimensions into local resilience strategies and open up opportunities to combine traditional knowledge and scientific approaches in climate adaptation.