Indigenous Knowledge and national development


INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Presentation at the 47th ZIMLA Conference/AGM and Exhibition, Peacock Hotel & Villas, Mutare from 24 – 28 June 2013

 

 

By

Lazarus Sauti

lazarussauti@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abstract

Indigenous knowledge (IK) is the unique knowledge restricted to a particular culture or society. This knowledge is generated and transmitted by communities, over time, in an effort to cope with their own socio-economic environments (Fernandez, 1994). It is generated through a systematic process of observing local conditions, experimenting with solutions and readapting previously identified solutions to modified environmental, socio-economic and technological situations (Brouwers, 1993). Accordingly, this treatise explores the use of indigenous knowledge in the context of national development. It also provides recommendation on what should be done to harness IK for national development.

 

Key words: Indigenous knowledge; local knowledge; traditional knowledge; development; sustainability and sustainable development.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Knowledge is the only treasure you can give entirely without running short of it.”

   -African proverb

 

Introduction

Indigenous knowledge is considered as the social capital of the poor. It is their main asset to invest in the struggle for survival, to produce food, to provide for shelter and to achieve control of their own lives. Ultimately, it should be embraced for national development.

 

Definition of key terms

In this paper, sustainability means “to make economic, social and environment's views in harmony with our constant needs.”

Sustainable development refers to a development that contains our modern needs without making any problems in providing future generation's needs. It recognises that social, economic and environmental results are related to each other and they should be equally in harmony for making decisions process (Box, 1999).

National development refers to the ability of a county or countries to improve the social welfare of the people e.g. by providing social amenities like quality education, potable water, transportation infrastructure and medical care.

Indigenous Knowledge is the local knowledge – knowledge that is unique to a given culture or society. It contrasts with the international knowledge system generated by universities, research institutions and private firms. IK is the basis for local-level decision making in agriculture, health care, food preparation, education, natural-resource management, and a host of other activities in rural communities (Warren 1991).

Since IK is dynamic, it has the capacity to blend with knowledge based on science and technology, and should therefore be considered complementary to scientific and technological efforts to solve problems in social and economic development.

 

Importance of IK

Indigenous knowledge offers the basis for problem-solving tactics for local groups, particularly the underprivileged. It represents a significant constituent of worldwide knowledge on sustainability and developmental issues. Consequently, sharing Indigenous knowledge within and across societies can help improve cross-cultural understanding and promote the cultural dimension of sustainable development.

Importantly, not all indigenous practices are beneficial to the sustainable development of a local community; and not all IK can provide the right solution for a given problem. Therefore, before adopting IK, integrating it into development programs, or even disseminating it, practices need to be scrutinised for their appropriateness just as any other technology.

 

Indigenous knowledge and national development

The use of IK is critical in Zimbabwe and other developing communities since it is viewed as an important tool for economic transformation. According to the World Development Report (1998/99), knowledge, not capital, is the key to sustainable social and economic development. For this, building on local knowledge - the basic component of any country’s knowledge system, is the first step to mobilise such capital and an important way to attain developmental goals.

The role of IK in national development includes intercropping techniques, pest control, crop diversity, and seed varieties in agriculture; plant varieties, and fish breeding techniques in biology; traditional medicine in human healthcare; soil conservation, irrigation, and water conservation in natural resource management; and oral traditions and local languages in education. The realisation of IK’s contribution to these sectors has led to an increasing interest in it by academicians, and policymakers alike.

More so, IK is an invaluable national resource; it provides opportunities for designing development projects that emerge from priority problems identified within a community and using it in development enterprises enables Zimbabwean to actively participate in the decision-making process. Honestly, IK is not only a powerful resource of rural peoples but also a key element in the fight against poverty and social exclusion for many rural communities.

 

Challenges of using IK in Development

Indigenous knowledge is not adequately promoted and protected in Zimbabwe. Furthermore, institutions to safeguard the rights of indigenous knowledge holders are weak in this country. In addition, there are weak links between the formal research and development institutions and local communities that hold and use the knowledge. This has denied Zimbabwe the opportunity to better understand and use its indigenous knowledge base.

 

Recommendations

  • Government should put aside funds for research on Indigenous Knowledge Systems and how that IKS can be applied and used for national development.
  • Greater efforts should be undertaken to strengthen the capacity of local people to develop their own knowledge base and to develop methodologies to promote activities at the interface of scientific disciplines and indigenous knowledge.
  • Libraries and related institutions should document indigenous knowledge as a critical way to preserve it for future generations. The documentation should be done with due consideration of the legal and ethical challenges that emanate from dealing with knowledge that is communally owned.

Summary

Indigenous knowledge is a critical factor for national development and like any other knowledge, it needs to be constantly used and/or further adapted to the evolving local contexts. From the paper, it was noted that indigenous knowledge provides the basis for grassroots decision-making. Therefore, the government should provide funds for research and ensure that IK is harnessed for national development.

 

Reference:

  1. Conway, K. (1997). Improving crop resistance: a new plant breeding technique borrows from the past. IDRC Reports, 2 May 1997.
  2. Grenier, L. (1998). Working with indigenous knowledge: a guide for researchers. IDRC, Canada.
  3. Karami, R and Moradi, K. (2003). The place of research, training and promoting the preservation of indigenous knowledge. Journal of Jihad, No. 255.
  4. World Bank (1999). World Development Report 1998/1999: Knowledge for Development.
  5. World Bank (2004). Indigenous knowledge: local pathways to global development. Africa Regional Office, World Bank.

 

 

 

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