Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Africa within the Context of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Sustainable Environmental Management

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Management ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge Systems

scholarly journals Use of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Crop and Livestock Production and Implication to Social Ecology: A Case Study of Chimanimani District of Zimbabwe

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pindai Sithole
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Management ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Local Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Community Food Security ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge Systems ◽  
Indigenous Trees

This study explored the indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) in the Chimanimani District of Zimbabwe and how they are used in crop management and grain storage. Also examined were the effects of IKS use on community food security and integrity of the environment. A qualitative interpretative research design was employed through the use of detailed in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with traditional leaders and community elders. The choice for these groups of people was informed by the general belief that they are often regarded in the community as a reservoir of indigenous knowledge systems. Phenomenological underpinnings anchored the study because it was vital to bring to the fore the various related IKS phenomena and links to food security and environmental management in the community. A socio-ecological lens was used to establish links and interrelations of factors that contribute to food security and environmental management. Major findings include that ashes and leaves from some indigenous trees are used to enrich soil quality, preserve food, and treat livestock. In addition, ashes and leaves are applied as organic pesticides for a variety of crops grown in the district. The study established that these local knowledge systems and practices contribute to low farming costs, high crop yields and good environmental management. The indigenous trees used for this purpose are held in high regard and conserved through the practice and enforcement of socio-spiritual prohibitions like taboos. The study concluded that the body of local knowledge firmly rooted in the Chimanimani people’s culture and traditions is relevant to and consistent with the national and global agenda towards strengthening and sustaining community food security and environmental management. Furthermore, the local knowledge systems found in this study have policy implications for environmental management and climate change strategies as well as knowledge management from a socio-ecological perspective.Keywords: indigenous knowledge management systems, environmental management, food security

The Relevance of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Local Governance toward Environmental Management for Sustainable Development: A Case of Bulawayo City Council, Zimbabwe

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-92
Author(s):  
Chiedza Angela Hari
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Management ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Local Governance ◽  
City Council ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
Young Generation ◽  
Sacred Sites ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge Systems ◽  
Set Up

Background: Inspired by Bertalanffy (1954)’s Systems Theory, this study sought to establish the relevance of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in local governance. Regardless of the overwhelming research on IKS, less attention has been put on its relevance to m.odern service delivery and seems to have lost its impact in influencing decision making. It was at the centre of this study,, therefore, to establish the relevance of IKS in local governance and establish the interconnectedness among local governance, IKS and environmental management for sustainable development. Predominantly, it focused on how IKS can be utilised as an integral system that contributes to the effective management of natural environment in urban cities, precisely Bulawayo Objective: The study strived towards contributing to the localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals within the Zimbabwean context in the best interest of the furtherance of sustainable cities for development with IKS at the centre of it all. Methods: Informed by the ontological interpretivist approach, this study adopted mixed methods of collecting data from 90 randomly selected residents of Bulawayo, three  Environmental Management Agency officers and three Bulawayo City Council employees. Findings: One of the major findings was that IKS is silent in urban areas compared to the rural because of (although not limited to) a) lack of historical and sacred sites, b) ignorance of theexistence of IKS and c) adoption of technology. Referring to how IKS has been effectively utilised in the rural set up, this paper strongly believed that IKS as a system has an important role to play in this development discourse. Conclusions and Recommendations: Research should focus on the applicability of IKS in urban set up especial on its applicability to other environmental management aspects such as pollution and waste management. Implications: There must also be adequate transmission of information using proper channels for affirmation of IKS especially to the young generation and stakeholders should work together for sustainable management of the environment.

scholarly journals Legitimacy of Indigenous Intellectual Property Rights’ claims

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-190
Author(s):  
Wanjiku Karanja
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Property ◽  
Property Rights ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Intellectual Property Rights ◽  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge Systems ◽  
Access To Knowledge ◽  
Traditional Cultural Expressions ◽  
Wide Usage

The notions of indigenous peoples, indigenous knowledge, and heritage and culture have acquired wide usage in international debates on sustainable development and intellectual property protection since the turn of the 20th century. This paper, through an examination of the concept of intellectual property and its intersection with culture and heritage, elucidates the nature and scope of indigenous intellectual property rights as represented by traditional knowledge, traditional cultural expressions and genetic resources. This paper, through a review of the interface between indigenous knowledge systems and the intellectual property law regime, illustrates the limitations of conventional intellectual property rights systems i.e.: copyright, patent, trade secrets and trademark in providing adequate recognition and protection for indigenous intellectual property rights. It also posits that the establishment of a sui generis system of protection offers a plausible solution to the inadequacy of the existing regimes of protection. This paper ultimately seeks to illustrate indigenous people’s legitimate rights to control, access and utilize in any way, including restricting others’ access to, knowledge or information that derives from their unique cultural histories, expressions, practices and contexts, towards the creation of a better society.

scholarly journals Bridging Indigenous and science-based knowledge in coastal and marine research, monitoring, and management in Canada

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven M. Alexander ◽  
Jennifer F. Provencher ◽  
Dominique A. Henri ◽  
Jessica J. Taylor ◽  
Jed Immanuel Lloren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Management ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Systematic Map ◽  
Marine Research ◽  
Types Of Knowledge ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge Systems

Abstract Background Drawing upon multiple types of knowledge (e.g., Indigenous knowledge, local knowledge, science-based knowledge) strengthens the evidence-base for policy advice, decision making, and environmental management. While the benefits of incorporating multiple types of knowledge in environmental research and management are many, doing so has remained a challenge. This systematic map examined the extent, range, and nature of the published literature (i.e., commercially published and grey) that seeks to respectively bridge Indigenous and science-based knowledge in coastal and marine research and management in Canada. Methods This systematic map applied standardized search terms across four databases focused on commercially published literature, carefully selected specialist websites, and two web-based search engines. In addition, reference sections of relevant review articles were cross-checked to identify articles that may not have been found using the search strategy. Search results were screened in two sequential stages; (1) at title and abstract; and (2) at full text following a published protocol. All case studies included were coded using a standard questionnaire. A narrative synthesis approach was used to identify trends in the evidence, knowledge gaps, and knowledge clusters. Results A total of 62 articles that spanned 71 Canadian case studies were included in the systematic map. Studies across the coastal and marine regions of Inuit Nunangat accounted for the majority of the studies. Whether the focus is on management and decision making or research and monitoring, the predominant ecological scale was at the species level, accounting for over two-thirds of the included studies. There were 24 distinct coastal and marine species of central focus across the studies. Nunavut had the greatest taxonomic coverage as studies conducted to date cover 13 different genera. The predominant methodology employed for combining and/or including Indigenous knowledge was case study design, which accounted for over half of the studies. Other methodologies employed for combining and/or including different ways of knowing included: (i) community-based participatory research; (ii) mixed methods; (iii) ethnography; and (iv) simulation modelling. There are a suite of methods utilized for documenting and translating Indigenous knowledge and an equally diverse tool box of methods used in the collection of scientific data. Over half of the case studies involved Indigenous knowledge systems of the Inuit, while another significant proportion involved Indigenous knowledge systems of First Nations, reflecting 21 unique nations. We found that demographics of knowledge holders were generally not reported in the articles reviewed. Conclusions The results of this systematic map provide key insights to inform and improve future research. First, a variety of methodologies and methods are used in these types of studies. Therefore, there is a need to consider in more detail how Indigenous and science-based knowledge systems can be respectively bridged across subjects while also recognizing specific place-based needs of Indigenous communities. Second, the work highlights the need to better report the demographics of knowledge holders. Further inquiry focused on the extent of knowledge co-production and assessing Indigenous participation across different stages of the research process would serve the research community well to improve future research and monitoring in support of, and to strengthen, evidence-based environmental management.

Colonizing Innovation:

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhinav CHATURVEDI ◽  
Alf REHN
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Postcolonial Theory ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
Frugal Innovation ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge Systems ◽  
Management Literature

Innovation is one of the most popular concepts and desired phenomena of contemporary Western capitalism. As such, there is a perennial drive to capture said phenomena, and particularly to find new ways to incite and drive the same. In this text, we analyze one specific tactic through which this is done, namely by the culturally colonial appropriation of indigenous knowledge systems. By looking to how jugaad, a system   of   frugal   innovation   in   India,   has been   made   into   fodder   for   Western management literature, we argue for the need of a more developed innovation critique, e.g., by looking to postcolonial theory.

Indigenous Environmental Justice, Knowledge, and Law

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah McGregor
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Justice ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
Indigenous Worldviews ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge Systems ◽  
The World ◽  
Innovative Approaches

This article aims to introduce a distinct conception of Indigenous environmental justice (IEJ) based on Indigenous legal orders, knowledge systems, and conceptions of justice. This is not to suggest in any way that the existing environmental justice (EJ) scholarship is flawed; in fact, the scholarship and activism around EJ have been central in diagnosing and drawing attention to injustices that occur on a systematic basis everywhere in the world. This article argues instead that such discussions can be expanded by acknowledging that concepts of environmental justice, including distinct legal orders informed by Indigenous knowledge systems, already existed on Turtle Island for thousands of years prior to the arrival of Europeans. It also suggests that environmental justice framed within Indigenous worldviews, ontologies, and epistemologies may make significant contributions to broader EJ scholarship, particularly in relation to extending justice to other beings and entities in Creation. This approach acknowledges ongoing colonialism and emphasizes the need to decolonize in order to advance innovative approaches to IEJ. 

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