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Typology
and
Selected Features of Indigenous Knowledge at the Community Level
To facilitate
understanding of indigenous knowledge systems, the following typology
is suggested describing some selected features. It is divided into the
following sectors:
agriculture
animal husbandry
post harvest technologies and nutrition
natural resources and environment
handicrafts
microfinance
primary health care
community development
conflict resolution
poverty alleviation
For each
sector, typical areas of knowledge or applications are presented, showing
the bearers of knowledge and giving examples how such indigenous knowledge
is manifest in artifacts, production systems or problem solving approaches.
(Please note,
these are examples considered typical, they can not be comprehensive)
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Sector
Agriculture
Areas of Knowledge - Soil and land classification; cultivation, plant
protection, plant sociology; characteristics of crops under stress
Bearers of Knowledge
Most or all farmers in a given community (often differentiated according to gender or
ethnic composition), but also traders or extension workers
Manifestations of Knowledge
Local varieties; cultivation techniques; plant protection techniques
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| hus |
Sector
Animal husbandry and ethnic veterinary medicine
Areas of Knowledge
Breeding; animal treatments; plant sociology, drought resistant species
Bearers of Knowledge
Nomads; herds people; animal keepers
Manifestations of Knowledge–
Breeds; watering places; livestock routes; treatment of parasites
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| post |
Sector
Post harvest technologies and nutrition
Area of Knowledge
Protection against vermin; treatment of seed and products, food conservation and
preparation
Bearers of Knowledge
Mostly women farmers
Manifestations of Knowledge
Storage systems; food products; cosmetic products, food patterns and preferences
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| natural |
Sector
Use and management of natural resources and environment protection
Area of Knowledge
Sources and qualities of raw materials; plant sociology; underutilized plants /
products; soil fertility; long term cycles of climate and its impact on the environment
Bearers of Knowledge
Most farmers; women; crafts people
Manifestations of Knowledge
Forestry products; erosion control measures; regulation of commons; usufruct; village
by-laws; supply of raw materials and products
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handi
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Sector
Handicrafts
Area of Knowledge
Wood working; foundry; weaving
Bearers of Knowledge
Specialist groups or individuals, frequently found in the informal sector
Manifestations of Knowledge
Products; tools; art
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| Primary |
Sector
Primary health care (PHC); preventive medicine and psycho-social care
Area of Knowledge
Iatro-botany, family planning, reproductive health
Bearers of Knowledge
Healers, women, special groups
Manifestations of Knowledge
Herbal medicines, treatments; child care; preparations; botanical, animal and mineral
products; integration of mentally and psychologically ill members in society
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cro
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Sector
Microfinance
Area of Knowledge
Saving and Lending
Bearers of Knowledge
Savings groups; money-lenders
Manifestations of Knowledge
Group collaterals; conditions; risk sharing; savings in kind
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ommunity
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Sector
Community development
Area of Knowledge
Power sharing; networking; lobbying
Bearers of Knowledge
Elders; local leaders; village communities
Manifestations of Knowledge
Rituals; by-laws, regulations; advocacy
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Conflict
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Sector
Conflict Resolution
Areas of Knowledge–
Mediating or solving family disputes, property disputes,
inter-community rivalries
Bearers of Knowledge
Elders; community leaders;
Manifestations of Knowledge
Village by-laws, village leadership; village institutions; rituals
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Poverty |
Sector
Poverty alleviation
Area of Knowledge
Risk aversion strategies, neighborhood assistance
Bearers of Knowledge
Elders; local leaders
Manifestations of Knowledge–
Rituals; dependencies; village by-laws; integration of marginalized members of the
community, kinship
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Increase and improve the available information on
Indigenous Knowledge.
This is an overview of the actions considered important to achieve this objective It
includes present status, required action and a proposed approach. The actions concentrate
on recording and documenting, testing and validation
and on disseminating information about IK practices
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Area of Action–
Record and document indigenous knowledge
Status
Numerous anthropological studies with information on indigenous knowledge; growing
number of field and literature studies and workshops devoted to the subject; majority of
studies descriptive rather than analytical with little feedback to local communities
Action Required–
Develop further and use participatory tools for analyzing and packaging
indigenous knowledge in a user-friendly fashion; develop systems for database storage
Proposed Approach
Field studies; literature studies; workshops; cooperation with CBOs and NGOs
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Area of Action
Validate indigenous knowledge
Status
Limited efforts so far (with the exception of research on medicinal plants) information
on effectiveness is scattered and difficult to access; very limited information on
successful transfers
Action Required
Field-testing and on-station research by national research institutions including
economic analysis; study records of early century scientists and practitioners,
missionaries; identify and study records of technology transfers of indigenous knowledge
Proposed Approach
Glean assessments of users; field testing; on-station research; laboratory tests;
record successful transfers
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Area of Action
Disseminating information
Status
Over the past years, the amount of records and exchanges has increased (documents;
newsletters; videos etc. the number of conferences networks), but distribution and access
is still limited, mostly to academic circles
Considerable (academic and descriptive) information is available on web-sites; Some
electronic use-lists are in operation
Some databases on traditional ecological knowledge available
Public coverage of indigenous peoples and bio-diversity increased recently
Information activities in developing countries not well coordinated
Museums traditionally exhibit local artifacts as manifestations of indigenous knowledge
Action Required
Improve regional networking to promote exchange between indigenous knowledge sources,
projects and actors
Increase public coverage of wider aspects of IK
Improve access to existing databases and increase databases with relevant technical
information of IK practices
Increase publishing of IK issues across all media
Proposed Approach
Production and dissemination of documents, audiovisuals and artifacts
Arrange for conferences, workshops, seminars etc.
Support existing and functioning networks, clearinghouses, databases, demo plots,
exhibits, museums, etc.
(Adapted from Mathias,
E. , 1995)
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Increase the Awareness of the Importance of Indigenous Knowledge and
Enhance its Application in Development Activities.
This is an overview of the actions considered most important to be
taken by the various actors, the required area of action, some principal
activities and the type of partnerships conducive to them.
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Area of Action
Raise awareness of the value and potential use of indigenous knowledge among local
people, field level workers and organizations, teachers, scientists and other academics,
policy makers and development planners
Status
Activities still few but increasing
Most organizations involve local people as partners or actors on an increasing scale
Limited integration of indigenous knowledge elements into regular training courses on
rural development
Information on indigenous knowledge is not suitably packaged for policy makers or
development planners
Some policy papers recognize the value of indigenous knowledge (such as the World Bank
guidelines for working with indigenous peoples) experiences with practical applications
only sparsely recorded
Action Required
External involvement to help communities to record and document their own indigenous
knowledge
Participatory technology assessments
Face-to-face exchanges between practitioners
Design and integrate modules of indigenous knowledge into curricula of schools,
training institutes, and universities
Produce and disseminate information packages for politicians, decision-makers and
development planners
Draw country policies and sector guidelines
Proposed Approach
Support relevant projects, workshops video-documentaries
Arrange for conferences, audio-visuals and field visits
Develop "How-To Manuals" for recording, sharing, and disseminating indigenous
knowledge for communities and development practitioners and planners at all levels
Produce briefs; establish cost-benefits analyses for indigenous knowledge applications
or transfers for relevant sectors
Design, test, and distribute tools for project planners and implementers on how to
recognize validate and incorporate indigenous knowledge in development activities
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Area of Action
Provide tools and methods for the recording and use of
indigenous knowledge in development projects
Status
Some field-worker handbooks how to record and document indigenous knowledge by means of participatory approaches are available for manual and computer use prepared by IIRR and CIKARD
Case studies are available but could be packaged in a more user-friendly form.
Action Required
Increase user friendliness of manuals, translation in other (local) languages
Coverage of specific topics (e.g. indigenous knowledge and the conservation of crop
genetic resources) and cultures
Proposed Approach
Adapt manuals to different audiences and purposes
Field testing of manuals
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Area of Action
Train public, private and NGO field personnel in tools and methods
Status
Limited availability (courses offered so far only by University of Edinburgh)
Action Required
Develop and offer courses on methods for the recording and use of indigenous
knowledge
Draft and distribute extension and education materials on indigenous technologies
Proposed Approach
Support research stations and community colleges to adopt courses
Package training materials user-specific for extension workers, NGOs development
workers etc.
Training of trainers
Improve communication between actors of indigenous knowledge exchange
(Adapted from Mathias,
E. 1995)
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Intensify Global Networking for the Exchange of
Indigenous Knowledge
This is an overview of the actions considered most important to be
taken to achieve this objective. It includes present status, required
action and a proposed approach. The actions concentrate on the clarification
of outstanding issues, the forming of strategic
alliances, the creation or strengthening of regional clearing
houses and the strengthening of peer-to-peer exchange
in the developing countries.
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Area of Action
Clarification of outstanding issues
Status
Property rights issues as related to IK not yet resolved, WIPO cooperates with various organizations, the civil
society , the World Bank, CIRAN and others on this subject
Global network of IK centers founded around the hubs of CIRAN and CIKARD but needs strengthening
PICTA
initiative on Indigenous Knowledge started with focus on IK and ICT
A number of national IK centers and networks in fledgling stage, need strengthening
South Africa soon to launch national policy on IK, that includes national and regional
networking
Action Required
Implement or improve on existing agreements
Foster exchange among existing IK centers
Approach
Sponsor international conference of experts and stakeholders
Improve connectivity among centers
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Area of Action
Strategic alliances
Status
Few initiatives ongoing (PICTA,
Bellanet)
Gradual recognition of value of IK in donor community
Limited resources
Isolated NGO-activities
Research directed at documentation and recording not at exchange
Private sector interests focussed on single technologies or products
Action Required
Agreement on information sharing
Reconciliation of activities with international agreements (agenda 21 bio-diversity
etc.)
Cooperation with NGO and private sector, in particular the IK centers
Approach
Establish regular (electronic) exchange forum;
Sponsor international conference
Twin activities of research NGOs donors and private sector
Link up with existing networks, such as the IK Network
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Area of Action
Installation of regional and intra-regional clearing houses
Status
Not yet established on regional or international basis, some regional centers with
potential, but no financial and personnel resources
Action Required
Set up databases for practices and pointers to centers of excellence
Design and agree on framework for exchange among IK network partners
Ensure that existing centers operate efficient and effectively
Approach
Compile, compare and exchange methodologies on capturing and exchanging IK
Assist existing, effective centers in decentralized locations
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Area of Action
Establish "Peer-to-Peer"or "South- South" exchange
Status
Knowledge exchange mostly South-North-South; some progress possible through improved
local connectivity
Action Required
Foster direct exchange between providers and recipients of knowledge
Approach
Increase operational capacity of decentralized network partners
Establish registers of knowledge ("yellow pages")
Identify, record and exchange pointers to centers of excellence
Ensure semantic transcriptions or conversions of content
Establish minimum quality standards
Ensure proper and cost effective quality monitoring
Improve communication structure
Support exchange visits of/ to bearers of knowledge
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Sharing Responsibilities in the Exchange
of Indigenous Knowledge
This is an overview of the actions considered important to be taken by the various
actors, the required area of action, some principal activities and what type of external
assistance could best be provided by whom. (External in this context means "third
party", external to the particular group that receives assistance. For example, to a
local community assistance by an NGO is considered external, as well as assistance to that
very NGO by the national government.) The following actors are considered
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Actors
Local Communities
Area of Action
Maintain and preserve IK; Transfer IK
Activities
"Document" practices (not necessarily in documents)
Validate practices
Identify key knowledge sources
Develop preservation strategies
Share with other communities
External Assistance - CBOs, NGO
Extension services
Volunteer services
Type of Partnerships
Capacity building in methodologies
Provide and operate knowledge storage space (local centers)
Provide access to external knowledge (advisory services, tele-centers, exchanges)
Appreciation through demand for local solutions
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Actors
CBOs, NGOs
Area of Action
Maintain and preserve IK
Capturing and documenting IK
Transfer locally and regionally
Disseminate
Advocacy
Activities
Provide and operate documentation and access space (libraries; databases; info centers;
tele centers etc.)
Produce information material (print, radio, TV, plays etc)
Organize local exchange (advise, exchange visits, theater groups, use of media, story
telling etc)
Organize regional exchange through networking
Partners–
Governments; Private sector
Research
Donor community
Type of Partnerships
Financial - for community based documentation centers
Technical - for methods for recording and validating
Financial and technical for local and regional networking
Financial and technical - for information access
Payment of royalties for use of indigenous knowledge practices or products
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Actors
National Governments
Area of Action
Provide legal and institutional framework
Facilitate networking
Activities
Protect (intellectual) property rights
Facilitate information access and exchange
Include local knowledge in national curricula
Facilitate regional travel
Facilitate access to media
Partners
International organizations
Donor community
Type of Partnerships
Technical assistance for reforms
Financial assistance for infrastructure, connectivity and bandwidth
Facilitate participation in international organizations
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Actor: Research
Area of Action
Acknowledge indigenous knowledge resources
Validate indigenous knowledge
Disseminate findings
Activities
Improve methodology for study of indigenous knowledge
Provide access to research findings
Include findings in teaching
Facilitate exchange with public and private institutions
Partners
Governments
Donor community
Research Institutions
Type of Partnerships
Finance twinning arrangements
Provide research grants on methodology
Finance local research
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Actor: Private Sector
Area of Action
Acknowledge rights of indigenous knowledge sources
Activities
Purchase of rights or licenses
Study business opportunities deriving from local practices
Partners
Donor community
NGOs
Type of Partnerships
Awareness creation through publications, seminars and conferences
Advocacy
Special consideration in service or purchase contracts
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Actor
Donor Community
Area of Action
Acknowledge importance
of IK
Disseminate information
on IK
Raise awareness
among partners
Activities
Create internal
platforms of exchange and cooperation
Network with sources
of IK and partners
Include indigenous
knowledge aspects in assistance strategies and approaches
Partners
NGOs
Type of Partnerships
Information
Advocacy
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Actors
International organizations and World Bank
Area of Action
Recognize special requirements of indigenous knowledge
Activities
Raise awareness within the institutions by providing internal information
on IK (web, print, expositions, include in databases of best practices,
provide tools for the capturing and dissemination of IK…)
Raise awareness among partners and stakeholders by information sharing
with partners (conferences, special partnerships such as PICTA, support
local initiatives)
Advocate for special clauses in international agreements on IPR, trade,
cultural exchange etc.
Provide access for protagonists of indigenous knowledge to international
fora on related subjects (health, education, agriculture etc)
Share information with partners (conferences, special partnerships
such as PICTA, support local initiatives)
Foster and advocate project approaches that build on local knowledge
Call for international conference or workshop Advocacy at international
organizations
Partners
Donor community
NGOs
Type of Partnerships
Information sharing
Joint publications, seminars and conferences
Enter into cooperation agreements on indigenous knowledge related projects
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Actor
World Bank
Area of Action
Raise awareness within the institution
Raise awareness among partners and stakeholders
Activities
Provide internal information on IK (web, print, dare to share fair, include in database
of expertise: best practices, tool for capturing and dissemination…)
Provide information to partners (conference, special partnerships such as PICTA,
support local initiative)
Foster and advocate project approaches that build on local knowledge
Call for international conference or workshop
Advocacy at international organizations
Partners
NGOs
Type of Partnerships
Provide information
Enter cooperation agreements on indigenous knowledge related projects
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