Topic Thirteen: Indigenous knowledge in Research and Extension

Concepts of in Indigenous knowledge (IK) Indigenous knowledge (IK) is, broadly speaking, the knowledge used by local people to make a living in a particular environment. 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 (IK) can be broadly defined as the knowledge that an indigenous (local) community accumulates over generations of living in a particular environment. This definition encompasses all forms of knowledge – technologies, know-how skills, practices and beliefs – that enable the community to achieve stable livelihoods in their environment. A number of terms are used interchangeably to refer to the concept of IK, including Traditional Knowledge (TK), Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK), Local Knowledge (LK) and Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS).

Types of Indigenous Knowledge While IK research originally emphasized indigenous technical knowledge of the environment, it is now accepted that the concept of IK goes beyond this narrow interpretation. IK is now considered to be cultural knowledge in its broadest sense, including all of the social, political, economic and spiritual aspects of a local way of life. Sustainable development researchers,

have found the following categories of IK : resource management knowledge and the tools, techniques, practices and rules related to pastoralism, agriculture, agro-forestry, water management and the gathering of wild food; classification systems for plants, animals, soils, water and weather; empirical knowledge about flora, fauna and inanimate resources and their practical uses; and the worldview or way the local group perceives its relationship to the natural world.

Importance of indigenous knowledge There are two basic reasons why it is important for research and extension to consider. incorporating IK into research –extension can contribute to local empowerment /Local capacity-building/ and, increasing self- sufficiency and strengthening self-determination. Utilizing IK gives 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 resources. Second, indigenous people can provide valuable input about the local environment and how to effectively manage its natural resources.

Differences and similarities between Indigenous (IK) and Scientific knowledge (SK Substantive grounds Methodological and epistemological differences Contextual differences

The Role of Indigenous Institutions in the Pastoral Communities Institutions are commonly accepted codes or rules that govern or influence the behavior that allow organizations to interact and understand the relationship between organizations and institutions, that is, the formal and informal rules of the game in society.

This is critical because implementation of many development interventions, including projects and policy reforms, depends on institutional changes. It is often assumed that institutions (including markets) function smoothly and according to formal rules. In practice, though, transaction costs, ineffective enforcement and lack of competition or accountability can lead to sub-optimal performance of government, market, or civil institutions.

The indigenous institutions play the role of governing the behaviour of individual member of the society. The indigenous institutions are organized to serve the social, economic, security and development needs of its members. They also have the responsibilities of decision- making and enforcement of resource use rules through political authority.