T & T-SV-01-Africa

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.

Preface and Acknowledgements

iii

[PDF File]

List of Contributors

v

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PART ONE: INTRODUCTION AND KEY ISSUES

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

1-6