Ecological Energy Practices: Native African Approaches to Sustainable Energy in the Environment

This research examines indigenous ecological energy practices in Cameroon, investigating how traditional knowledge systems offer sustainable alternatives to conventional energy paradigms. Through mixed-methods research conducted across four ecological zones, the study documents sophisticated bioenergy techniques, passive solar design principles, and water management systems that have evolved over generations. Findings reveal that indigenous communities have developed site-specific energy solutions that maximize efficiency while minimizing environmental impact, often incorporating cyclical resource management and adaptive governance systems. The research identifies key transferable principles from these practices, including ecosystem-based design, intergenerational knowledge transfer mechanisms, and integrative resource management approaches. This paper proposes a framework for ecological energy sovereignty that bridges indigenous knowledge and contemporary sustainability science while addressing the structural inequalities that marginalize native African approaches. These findings contribute to growing scholarship on biocultural approaches to climate change mitigation and adaptation, offering practical pathways for sustainable energy transitions that honor indigenous ecological knowledge while addressing contemporary energy challenges in Cameroon and beyond.