What is the Indigenous Knowledge?

Defining Indigenous Knowledge: Indigenous knowledge (IK) is today a popular

word through out the world. It has been interpreted in different ways at different
places but generally it is understood as local or traditional knowledge that
indigenous people have brought down with them from earlier times via the oral
tradition. Indigenous knowledge (IK) is, broadly speaking, the knowledge used by
local people to make a living in a particular environment (Warren 1991). Terms
used in the field of sustainable development to designate this concept include
indigenous technical knowledge, traditional environmental knowledge, rural
knowledge, local knowledge and farmer’s or pastoralist’s knowledge.

Indigenous knowledge can be also defined as “A body of knowledge built up by a

group of people through generations of living in close contact with nature”
(Johnson 1992). Generally speaking, such knowledge evolves in the local
environment, so that it is specifically adapted to the requirements of local people
and conditions. It is also creative and experimental, constantly incorporating
outside influences and inside innovations to meet new conditions. It is usually a
mistake to think of indigenous knowledge as ‘old fashioned,’ ‘backwards,’ ‘static’
or ‘unchanging’ A working definition of indigenous knowledge in the African
context:  Indigenous systems are localized African systems developed over long
periods and whose patterns are based upon local knowledge systems and
expressed in local languages.
 Indigenous systems would generally be viewed to be in balance with the local
environment or would have sought such balance.  The systems would have been
influenced by innovations emerging from within themselves, from other
indigenous systems and from national and international systems. Nonetheless,
they are essentially African in origin even though they may display foreign
attributes.
Warren (1987) defined indigenous knowledge as a local knowledge that is unique
to a given culture or society. According to Rajasekaran (1993), indigenous
knowledge is the systematic body of knowledge acquired by local people through
the accumulation of experiences, informal experiments and intimate
understanding of the environment in a given culture. To Haverkort and de Zeeuw
(1992), indigenous knowledge is the actual knowledge of a given population that
reflects the experiences based on traditions and includes more recent
experiences with modern technologies. It is also described as a non-conventional
body of knowledge that deals with some aspects of the theory, but more of the
beliefs, practices and technologies developed without direct inputs from the
modern, formal, scientific establishment; in this case, towards the management
of farms (Chambers et al. 1989, Gilbert et al. 1980). Some of the characteristics
compared to so-called western scientific knowledge were put up by Warren 1993.
Indigenous knowledge is oral, usually not written. While western science tries to
understand a whole from the pieces, indigenous knowledge sees things as
wholes. Western science believes itself to be objective, while indigenous
knowledge is deliberately subjective and sees human beings as part of the whole.
Classification systems can be very different from western ways. One example is in
the taxonomic classification of living organisms which is more based on ecological
thought than genetic relatedness. We could go on with this list. Most western
scientists reject indigenous knowledge as a methodical and non-scientific. It is
true that western science is sometimes superior in its
ways of accumulating data and makes predictions. It is selective and very
dependent on the way data are selected. Still, indigenous knowledge-systems are
said to be “high context” systems which means that they are designed to
Incorporate very high level of contextual information specific of a given locale.
Indigenous knowledge -systems can consequently be very different from each
other and there is no single indigenous system: “each group has a system specific
to their locale” (Warren 1993).
Why is Indigenous Knowledge Important?
There are two basic reasons why indigenous knowledge is important, first and
foremost, the contribution of indigenous knowledge to local empowerment and
development, increase the self-sufficiency and strength self-determination
(Ulluwishewa 1993). Utilizing IK in research and management plans gives it
legitimacy and credibility in the eyes of both local people and outside scientists,
increasing cultural pride and thus motivation to solve local problems with local
ingenuity and resources. Second, indigenous people can provide valuable input
about the local environment and how to effectively manage its natural resources.
Outside interest in indigenous knowledge systems has been fueled by the recent
worldwide ecological crisis and the realization that its causes lie partly in the over
exploitation of natural resources based on inappropriate attitudes and
technologies. Scientists now recognize that indigenous people have managed the
environments in which they have lived for generations, often without significantly
damaging local ecologies (Matowanyika 1994). Many feel that indigenous
knowledge can thus provide a powerful basis from which alternative ways of
managing resources can be developed. Indigenous knowledge systems and
technologies are found to be socially desirable, economically affordable, and
sustainable and involve minimum risk to rural farmers and producers, and above
all, they are widely believed to conserve resources. There are situations in which
modern science is not appropriate, and use of simpler technologies and
procedures are required. So learning from indigenous knowledge can improve
understanding of local conditions and provide a productive context for activities
designed to help the communities. In addition, the use of indigenous knowledge
‘assures that the end user of specific agricultural development projects are
involved in developing technologies appropriate to their needs’ (Warren 1993).
In general indigenous knowledge represents a way of life that has evolved with
the local environment, so it is specifically adapted to the requirements of local
conditions as: Restraint in resource exploitation: production is for subsistence
needs only; what is needed for immediate survival is taken from the environment.

Diversified production systems: there is no over exploitation of a single

resource; risk is often spread out by utilizing a number of subsistence strategies.
Respect for nature: a ‘conservation ethic’ often exists. The land is considered
sacred, humans are dependent on nature for survival, all species are
interconnected.
Flexible: IK is able to adapt to new conditions and incorporate outside
knowledge.
Social responsibility: there are strong family and community ties, and with them
feelings of obligation and responsibility to preserve the land for future
generations. (Source: Murphree 1991).
Also, Indigenous knowledge has various essential applications which make IK
more important as:

SUMMARY
The indigenous knowledge (IK) is the body of knowledge or natural history built
up by a group of people through generations of living in close contact with
nature. IK have developed and through trial and error an understanding of the
ecosystem in which they lived. IK is important because it represents a way of life
that has evolved with the local environment, so it is specifically adapted to the
requirements of local conditions. With the rapid environmental, social,
economic and political changes occurring in many areas inhabited by indigenous
people comes the danger that the IK they possess will be overwhelmed and lost.
Researchers can assist in preserving IK through the following: Rerecord and use
IK, raise awareness in the community about the value of IK, help communities
record and document their local practices and make IK available. Indigenous
peoples should not be treated as clients or mere stakeholders in the process,
but should be invited to participate in all levels of decision making and
management, finding representation on steering committees, planning boards,
advisory bodies, and similar organizations.

Think abut this question

What is the role of indigenous knowledge in the development of indigenous
science ?
ANS; Indigenous peoples, with their decades of personal experience combined
with that of their ancestors, harbour vast knowledge about the environment
and the ecological relationships within them. Tremendous opportunities exist
where such knowledge can contribute to modern science and natural resource
management.

What is the role of indigenous science in the development of science and

technology in the Philippines?
ANS: Throughout history, Indigenous peoples have been responsible for the
development of many technologies and have substantially contributed to
science. Science is the pursuit of knowledge. Approaches to gathering that
knowledge are culturally relative.Together, they contribute substantially to
modern science.

How do society and culture influence the development of science and

technology?
ANS: Technology and science are most frequently influenced by society
and economic development. A society with a good culture and economic
growth is evolving very rapidly in every respect. The growing and changing
economic position is a symbol of the development of science and
technology. A society with an advanced culture needs a lot of technologies
to deal with other governments, society, the world. So "need" is what urges
the involvement of science and technology in these exposed areas when
setting up some kind of business.