Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Sustainable Development:  Relevance for Africa


Emmanuel K. Boon and Luc Hens

(University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa)

(Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium)

2007 •  Pages: 264 • Size: 180x240 •  ISBN 81-85264-44-9 • Binding: Hard • 

Price: US $ 45/- Rs. 1450/-

(Tribes and Tribals Special Volume No. 1)


Knowledge refers to what one knows and understands. For many countries in the developing world, the basic component of their knowledge system is indigenous knowledge, which is also often referred to as traditional knowledge (World Bank, 1997). Indigenous knowledge refers to traditional and local knowledge existing within and developed around specific conditions of women and men indigenous to a particular geographic area in contrast with knowledge generated within the international system of universities, research institutes and private firms (Warren, 1991). Indigenous knowledge in Africa is an embodiment of different modes of thought and "epistemology". It is an appreciation of the possession of interconnected details, which in isolation, are of lesser value.

Several studies have pointed to the increasing significance of knowledge and indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) in sustainable development (SD) in Africa and the developing world in general. The indigenous people of Africa and the world at large have a rich repertoire of knowledge based on their cultures, environments, natural resources, political, social and economic institutions that may be the key drivers for poverty reduction, livelihood improvement and sustainable development.

Despite the serious erosion of IKS over the decades in many communities in Africa, they are still most relevant and appropriate for promoting SD of the continent. Far from being anachronistic in the contemporary world, these knowledge systems have much to offer development policy-makers, environmental managers, administrators, and stakeholders. The integration of IKS in policy formulation and the execution of development programmes and projects should be accorded much attention.

This book aims to catalyse a positive change in the minds of development cooperation policy-makers, administrators, researchers, teachers, students and the other stakeholders in Africa and the other continents about the importance of IKS in sustainable development and poverty reduction. In fact, IKS are an appropriate avenue for appraising development paradigms being implemented in the continent. The book clearly underlines the importance of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) to sustainable development (SD) in Africa and the rest of the developing world. The concept of IKS, its theoretical underpinning and the extent to which indigenous knowledge is systematised and structured need to be properly understood.

The book comprises of four parts. The first presents the introduction and discussion of eight key issues on indigenous knowledge systems. Sectoral case studies on IKS and sustainable development are presented in Part Two. The sectors covered include agriculture, architecture and human settlements and water resources. Part Three of the book deals with African sub-regional case studies: Central Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa and West Africa. The final Part of the book presents a number of international case studies on IKS and sustainable development in Brazil, Peru, Philippines, Vietnam, the IUCN and UNEP.

 


CONTENTS


 

Preface and Acknowledgements

iii

[PDF File]

 

List of Contributors   

v                                                                                                                

[PDF File]

 

PART ONE: INTRODUCTION AND KEY ISSUES

 

Chapter 1:  Introduction, Luc Hens and Emmanuel K. Boon

1-6

[Abstract] [Full Text]

 

Chapter 2:  Keynote Address, Benjamin Van Camp

7-12

[Abstract] [Full Text]

 

Chapter 3:  A Comparative Overview of Academic Discourse on Indigenous Knowledge in the Middle East And Africa,

Stale Knudsen

13-28

[Abstract] [Full Text]

 

Chapter 4:  Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Development in Africa: Democracy,

Governance and Conflict Resolution, Michel Ansay

29-39

[Abstract] [Full Text]

 

Chapter 5:  Indigenous Knowledge Systems and the Need for Policy and Institutional Reforms, Kwame Ameyaw Domfeh  

 41-52

[Abstract] [Full Text]

 

Chapter 6:   Management and Indigenous Knowledge Systems: An Analysis of Motivational Values across Cultures, Osarumwense Iguisi

53-62

[Abstract] [Full Text]

 

Chapter 7:   Knowledge Systems and Traditional versus Modern Social Security Systems in Africa, Emmanuel K. Boon

63-76

[Abstract] [Full Text]

 

Chapter 8:   African Indigenous Knowledge Systems and the Patent Regime: Is the Patent System Relevant to the Native Healers of Southern Nigeria?, Ikechi Mgbeoji

 77-92

[Abstract] [Full Text]

 

Chapter 9:   Contemporary Comparative Cultural Studies: Theory, Contexts and Trends, Rik Pixten

93-99

[Abstract] [Full Text]

 

PART TWO: SECTORAL CASE STUDIES

 

Chapter 10:   Indigenous Agricultural Knowledge in Rainfed Rice Based Farming Systems for Sustainable Agriculture: Learning from Indian Farmers, Ranjay K. Singh

101-110

[Abstract] [Full Text]

 

Chapter 11:   The Study of Water Supply and Traditional Water Purification Knowledge in Selected Rural Villages in Tanzania, Nancy Jotham, Gunno Renman and Gunnar Jacks

111-120

[Abstract] [Full Text]

 

PART THREE: AFRICAN SUB-REGIONAL CASE STUDIES

 

Chapter 12:   Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Development in Africa: Case Study on Central Africa, Charles Eyong

121-139

[Abstract] [Full Text]

 

Chapter 13:   Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Sustainable Development in Africa: Case Study on Kenya, Davis Wekesa Barasa

141-156

[Abstract] [Full Text]

 

Chapter 14:   Enabling a Global Imperative of Sustainable Development through Indigenous (local) Ways of Knowing: a case of Southern African, Edgar Neluvhalanit

157-165

[Abstract] [Full Text]

 

Chapter 15:   Case Study on Southern African Development Co-operation (SDAC), Ndangwa Noyoo

167-172

[Abstract] [Full Text]

 

Chapter 16:   Case Study on West Africa, Emmanuel Akyeampong

173-182

[Abstract] [Full Text]

 

PART FOUR: INTERNATIONAL CASE STUDIES

 

Chapter 17:   Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Development in Brazil, Fernando Pires

183-193

[Abstract] [Full Text]

 

Chapter 18:   The Role of Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Development: A Case Study in Latin America, Norka Malpartida

195-204

[Abstract] [Full Text]

 

Chapter 19:   Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Higher Education in the Philippines, Ricarte Abejuela III

205-213

[Abstract] [Full Text]

 

Chapter 20:   The Role of Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Development: A Case Study of the Vietnam Mountain Regions, Tran Chi Trung, Le Xuan Quynh, Vu Van Hieu

215-224

[Abstract] [Full Text]

 

Chapter 21:    Challenges for the Maintenance of Traditional Biodiversity Knowledge in Latin America, Gonzalo Oviedo

225-239

[Abstract] [Full Text]

 

Chapter 22:   Indigenous People and Sustainable Development: How has UNEP contributed?, Sylvie Motard

241-251

[Abstract] [Full Text]

 

Chapter 23:  Summary and Conclusion, Emmanuel K. Boon

253-255

[Abstract] [Full Text]

 

Index

257-262

[PDF File]

 


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