Overview over the millennia, indigenous peoples have developed a close and unique connection with the lands and environments in which they live. Indigenous knowledge has been exposed as an extensive and valuable knowledge system. Pdf indigenous knowledge as a key to sustainable development. In the process, there is need to recognise intellectual. Development and the documentation of indigenous knowledge. Indigenous knowledge is the local knowledge that is unique to a given culture or society. Chapter 6 indigenous peoples and water 173 additionally, indigenous peoples draw a distinction between freshwater and salt water peoples and country. Indigenous knowledge of biodiversity highlighted by. Indigenous knowledge and sustainable development mervyn claxton third distingushed lecture, the cropper foundation uwi, st augustine, trinidad and tobago september 1, 2010 page 1 biodiversity, indigenous knowledge, and sustainable development are very closely linked. In line with the notion of recognising perspectives, the new tok guide places much emphasis on indigenous knowledge. Indigenous knowledge systems and environmental management. As has been noted above the importance of indigenous knowledge in. A clear need to strengthen indigenous knowledge practices and cultures by protecting and recognising the value of such systems. Indigenous knowledge can contribute to the institutional basis for implementing disaster.
In 2001 the indigenous knowledge systems iks focus area programme fap was established with ringfenced funding from the department of science and technology dst. Traditional knowledge systems extend into the present, and are alive and constantly adapted in order to remain relevant to contemporary indigenous life. The separation of the parents led to ranginui the sky father forming the sky, resulting in the rain as. Knowledge based systems concepts, techniques, examples reid g. Farmers, communities and households that live in risky environments, have developed. The journal has been motivated by the need for a dependable expression for critical and analytical writing on issues related to production, dissemination and recognition of indigenous knowledge systems. The aim of this study is to analyse the current status of indigenous intellectual property rights protection in south africa. Indigenous knowledge, indigenous epistemologies, alaska native education, native science a few years ago, a group of alaska native elders and educators were assembled to identify ways to more effectively utilize traditional knowledge systems and ways of knowing embedded in native communities as a means of enriching the school. Indigenous knowledge systems and alaska native ways of knowing. Indigenous knowledge has an important role in global knowledge economy world bank, 1997. Culture, indigenous knowledge systems and sustainable development. The characteristics of indigenous knowledge systems iks.
The most commonly cited definition of indigenous knowledge is that of louise grenier 1998. Documenting indigenous knowledge systems in africa. Understanding indigenous perspectives indigenous worldviews welcome to understanding. The articles focus is the relationship between culture, indigenous knowledge systems iks, sustainable development and education in africa. The management of sea country is as equally important as freshwater to indigenous peoples, with the sea seen as an extension of the land incorporating rights and cultural responsibilities.
Indigenous knowledge systems and has earmarked funding for iks projects. African indigenous knowledge and african indigenous the. These areas of knowledge are fields of study in which we try to gain knowledge through the ways of knowing. The term is predominantly used to designate those knowledge systems that are markedly different from the dominant western systems of knowledge. Prospect of integrating african indigenous knowledge systems.
Smith schlumbergerdoll research old quarry road ridgefield, ct usa 06877 presented at the canadian high technology show. According to the categories used by eurocentric knowledge, it is a transcultural or intercultural and interdisciplinary source of knowledge that embraces the contexts of about. The history of indigenous systems in solving disputes and peace building in zimbabwe dates back to the pre colonial era where elders and community leaders met to resolve local conflicts and disputes using their own indigenous knowledge mechanisms. Department of science and technology dst briefing professor yona seleti, chief director, department of science and technology, noted that she would discuss some issues that had been raised a while ago. This paper exposes some of the indigenous knowledge systems iks that have been practised immemorial by the kalanga people of zaka district in masvingo in order to manage and protect their environment from land degradation. Local people consider the other peoples problems as their problems and try to solve these problems in a whole frame with using their knowledge. Cycles and changes in the earth and sky plants and animal behavior the impact of technology on the relationship between indigenous peoples and. An intergral part of these systems are the knowledge systems that help households plan for future events and decrease uncertainty. This paper details the importance of indigenous knowledge systems in developing countries around the world. Religious believes as a part of indigenous knowledge. Indigenous knowledge systems are a body of knowledge, or bodies of knowledge of the indigenous people of particular geographical areas that they have survived on for a very long time. What is local and indigenous knowledge united nations. Access and control of indigenous knowledge in libraries and.
Scientists should respond by following these developments, institutionalizing this participation at all levels of scientific activity, and respecting the value of indigenous knowledge. Preserving indigenous knowledge systems the herald. The above kiswahili quotation, said to me during fieldwork by a smallscale farmer in coast region in tanzania, translates into english. Such knowledge is key to the security and wellbeing of communities before, during and. Recently indigenous knowledge systems have been given more attention as their importance is addressed in development projects. This study determined the indigenous knowledge systems and practices iksps used by. Increasing and improving the available information on indigenous knowledge 19 3. This module will explore cultural, spiritual and philosophical themes in indigenous worldviews. View indigenous knowledge research papers on academia.
With this background, this paper seeked to identify the relevance of indigenous knowledge systems and practices in the teaching of science among secondary public science teachers in baguio city where teachers experience multicultural students. Indigenous knowledge and address issues such as recognition and respect of indigenous culture and rights, selfdetermination, and free prior and informed consent. The role of indigenous knowledge in sustainable rural. There are obvious overlaps between indigenous knowledge, language and anthropology, yet links and connections between indigenous knowledge and other ways of knowing and areas of knowledge may be equally valid. Indigenous knowledge systems indigenous knowledge systems.
Local and indigenous knowledge refers to the understandings, skills and philosophies developed by societies with long histories of interaction with their natural surroundings. Indigenous knowledge systems can make a significant contribution to sustainable development through conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The use of indigenous knowledge has been seen by many as an alternative way of promoting development in poor rural communities in many parts of the world. Pdf this paper details the importance of indigenous knowledge systems in developing countries around the world. African researchers need to persist in developing and using alternative methods of studying our reality and refrain from sticking to the research pathways mapped out by western methodologies, within which many have been trained. Indigenous knowledge systems and alaska native ways of. For rural and indigenous peoples, local knowledge informs decisionmaking about fundamental aspects of daytoday life. Exploring and promoting the value of indigenous knowledge. Apparently, indigenous knowledge systems iks are now being unjustly negated. The indigenous knowledge systems iks have been neglected, condemned and vilified by western countries in their approaches to development. Although african indigenous knowledge systems aiks have existed for thousands of years, their concept and practice began to emerge in the science spheres only three decades ago. African indigenous knowledge systems and relevance of higher education in south africa.
Indigenous knowledge systems and practices iksps in the. Much of this knowledge forms an important contribution to research and development. The dreaming for australian indigenous people sometimes referred to as the dreamtime or dreamtimes is when the ancestral beings moved across the land and created life and significant geographic features. Submissions african journal of indigenous knowledge systems. The importance of indigenous knowledge in agricultural. Sri lanka native knowledge resources center, nigerian indigenous knowledge center, supreme research center for indigenous knowledge systems in india and center for resources of indigenous knowledge and sustainable development in the philippines 17. Overview of the indigenous knowledge for development initiative 15 ii.
While ik research originally emphasized indigenous technical knowledge of the environment, it is now accepted that the concept of ik goes beyond this narrow interpretation. The thrust of this paper is to heighten awareness, stimulate new thoughts and generate discussion on the wealth of indigenous knowledge. Ntuli is correct when claiming that indigenous knowledge systems are a counterhegemonic discourse in the. Being indigenous you are not limited by any means to these areas. Iks importance is seemingly being overshadowed by western knowledge which has the advantage that it is codified and is largely. African indigenous knowledge and the disciplines gloria emeagwali central connecticut state university, usa and george j. Many who have stressed the importance of indigenous knowledge have limited the scope. There is no point in romanticising ik as something, which will fundamentally bring about global health for all, for either the third world or the west. Indigenous knowledge ik systems are very important for the communities from which they come from. Indigenous maori knowledge and perspectives of ecosystems.
Indigenous knowledge evolves and develops over time just like any other area of knowledge. The role of indigenous knowledge systems iks in development and how the media can be used to promote or undermine it. Having said that, literature on the topic of indigenous knowledge and pedagogy does exist, although it is limited in scope and depth. An inaugural lecture by anwar osman centre for africa studies 1. The indigenous knowledge systems of the peoples of the. Today, many indigenous knowledge systems are at risk of becoming extinct because of the rapid change of natural environments and face pacing economic, political and cultural changes on a global scale. The areas of knowledge roughly correspond with the groups of study within the ib programme, even though there are some additional realms of knowledge such as ethics, religion and indigenous knowledge which are relevant to tok. African indigenous knowledge and research owusuansah. Fundamental questions about access and control, ownership and authorship test rationalities of library and archival management. Typology and selected features of indigenous knowledge at community level18 2. This paper argues that indigenous knowledge systems emergence via zimbabwe as an example is more than a case of a sudden realisation on the part of the international community especially from. Indigenous knowledge should be encouraged south african social attitudes survey indigenous knowledge systems iks have an important contribution to make to socioeconomic growth and sustainable development and should be promoted and encouraged, say aziza moos, jare struwig and ben roberts. Juxtaposing postcolonial theory by jacob mapara jacob. Indigenous knowledge is a knowledge that has been grown in a long time and has transferred from one generation to other generation in hereditary form.
The current intellectual property laws and legislations in south africa do not fully protect indigenous knowledge systems and in some instances the indigenous knowledge. Indigenous knowledge systems and practices iksps in the teaching of science by xylene grail donatokinomis abstract indigenous knowledge systems and practices iksps are local knowledge developed over centuries of experimentation and. Pdf the importance of indigenous knowledge in curbing the loss. Western science appropriates indigenous knowledge of plants, animals, and medicines and access to patents for biodiversity is controversial as well as. The role of indigenous peoples in biodiversity conservation. Introduction 15 indigenous knowledgebased vegetable garden projects in lekgophung village in the northwest province of south africa. African indigenous knowledge systems and relevance of. Indigenous knowledge refers to the understandings, skills and philosophies developed by societies with long histories of interaction with their natural. Extreme weather events have highlighted the importance of indigenous peoples. The inherent dynamism of indigenous peoples knowledge systems lies at the heart of their ability to. Following the definitions of indigenous knowledge and traditional knowledge, one can state that indigenous traditional knowledge is the totality of all knowledge and practices established on past experiences and observation that is held and used by a people. They have established distinct systems of knowledge, innovation and practices relating to the uses and management of biological diversity on these lands and environments. Clearly indigenous knowledge, values and belief systems are important and surprisingly robust considering the history of western domination and exclusion.
Oct 09, 2019 this article explores the question of using western notions of property and ownership to indigenous knowledge systems and how to protect traditional knowledge through intellectual property law. The garden projects were initiated by rural women to use their local knowledge of farming and indigenous plants to alleviate their poverty situation. University of toronto, canada this text explores the multidisciplinary context of african indigenous knowledge systems from scholars and scholar activists committed to the interrogation, pro. Indigenous knowledge is the unique knowledge confined to a particular culture or society. Education must not be simply an assimilation of western values, but must also be directed towards the strengthening of indigenous culture. Indigenous knowledge and implications for the sustainable. A community protocol is a protocol developed by an indigenous community that describes the structure of the indigenous community and its claims to indigenous cultural expressions or knowledge and indigenous terms or expressions or geographical indications, and provides procedures for prospective users of such indigenous cultural expressions or. Such knowledge dictates how people behave generally, how they relate with the land and other resources that they have, and how they make sense of the world around them. Prospect of integrating african indigenous knowledge systems into the teaching of sciences in africa. I am immensely grateful to jean fanfan, marielena gutti and valerie hickey, who carried out the research and analysis of the bank portfolio, and. Ik is now considered to be cultural knowledge in its broadest sense, including all of the social, political, economic and spiritual aspects of a local way of life. Iajiks represents a variety of cross disciplinary interests in ethnomethodology and in qualitative methods. The study examined the characteristics of indigenous knowledge systems iks influencing their utilization by rice farmers in ekiti state of nigeria.
Indigenous knowledge systems and intellectual property laws. Arguments in favour of recognizing the importance of indigenous knowledge range. Increasing awareness of the importance of indigenous knowledge 20 4. Indigenous customs, knowledge systems and governance structures are numerous and diverse. Case study indigenous knowledge humanitarian leadership. In addition, it is important to ensure that sustainable agricultural practices are inculcated in. The interrogation on the role of african indigenous knowledge systems in promoting.
They have established distinct systems of knowledge, innovation and practices relating to the uses and management of biological diversity on these lands. While indigenous agricultural knowledge is of immense value in improving food production, its documentation and dissemination remain a big challenge. The protection of indigenous knowledge for peoples health. Protection of tribalindigenous knowledge traditional. The concept of indigenous knowledge for disaster risk reduction integrates well with all the priorities of action laid down under the hfa. It is also the thrust of this paper to point into perspective the adaptive measures taken by the dande community against climate change using indigenous knowledge systems iks. The discussion paper identifies six overarching issues for consideration in the protection and. Culture, indigenous knowledge systems and sustainable. It is a knowledge system in its own right with its own internal consistency and ways of knowing, and there are limits to how far it can be comprehended from a eurocentric point of view.
Western science appropriates indigenous knowledge of plants, animals, and medicines and access to patents. It was prepared by claudia sobrevila, senior biodiversity specialist in the environment department of the world bank. All too frequently, western science and indigenous knowledge are represented as two different, competing knowledge systems, characterised by a binary divide, a divide arguably evolving out of the epistemological foundations of the two knowledge systems. Doc the role of indigenous knowledge systems iks in. It is therefore not surprising that various forms of local and indigenous knowledge were identified in the three provinces selected for this study. This article explores the question of using western notions of property and ownership to indigenous knowledge systems and how to protect traditional knowledge through intellectual property law. B y g i o r g i a m a g n i 2 0 1 6 indigenous knowledge and implications for the. It analyzes the concept of sustainability with particular reference to education and indigenous knowledge systems. It is also known as local knowledge, folk knowledge, peoples knowledge, traditional wisdom or. Two hundred and sixtysix rice farmers were selected through a multistage random sampling technique and data procured through the administration of a validated and structured interview schedule.
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