The Uncelebrated Heroes of the Field: Honoring Local Porters and Field Assistants

| By Chinaza Ukwueze

Porters carrying heavy field research gear with ease while traversing a rugged path into the mountainous forest of the Okwangwo division in Cross River National Park, Anape.

I’ve always been drawn to shining a light on people who do behind-the-scenes work. That is why one of my favorite photos from a recent field trip features four amazing porters, marching through rugged terrain, laden with heavy field research equipment. What stands out for me is how rarely these individuals are seen or celebrated, even though their work is critical to any field research.

You see, in the world of science, the limelight is usually on lead and co-researchers, and other academics whose contributions are seen in research papers. Yet, there are these sets of essential groups I like to call the ‘uncelebrated heroes’- porters, local forest guides and field assistants whose contributions rarely make it into any journal, but form the bedrock for any successful field expedition.

Any bat researcher working in the tropics knows that it takes a village to conduct a field survey. Equipment like harp traps, triple high, and other bat-prepping items, camping gear and food, need to be carried. The research team cannot move all of the equipment into the field and that is where my ‘uncelebrated heroes’ come in.

It wasn’t until my first field survey at SMACON, that I realised how essential these people are to field work- so important that their absence could delay or altogether, disrupt field plans. Typically, our field surveys start with organizing porters for the trip a day before we plan to set out. This particular day, we had engaged in a pricing negotiation that went on longer than planned. By the time that was done, it was far in the day and the field trip was rescheduled for the next day. It was at that moment, I realised just how important they were.

While the porters carry the weight of the research expedition, the local forest guides and field assistants carry indigenous knowledge, which make the research meaningful. They have a good knowledge of the landscape, spotting animal trails that are invisible to outsiders. They possess knowledge no textbook could give, thus bridging the gap between science and indigenous wisdom. Their familiarity with both sides ensures smoother interactions, helping researchers gain access to local knowledge that could enrich the research. Their knowledge of the geography of the regions they navigate enables them to know which trails are passable, where to find water, and how to avoid potential hazards. This familiarity and connection to the land provide invaluable insight that is crucial for the safety and efficiency of the research team.

They assist researchers in various capacities in the area of research and other manpower-related activities, such as clearing of camping sites, spotting animal trails and activities, setting and monitoring of traps, etc. They typically stay for the same number of days as the researchers in the field, and their technical assistance and expertise cannot be overemphasized.

This post is using the medium to celebrate the uncelebrated, the quiet giants of fieldwork, the local porters and field assistants. Their labor, and sometimes knowledge, power scientific discovery, and they truly deserve to be appreciated.  By honoring their contributions, we not only recognize their hard work but also foster a more inclusive and respectful approach to research. 

So next time you hear about a groundbreaking discovery, take a moment to reflect on those heroes whose hard work is kept behind the scenes. Referencing the first photo above, the women in this photo didn’t just carry our gear; they carried the entire study on their backs.

Ready to support the future of conservation in West Africa?

Donate