Integration of Indigenous and Scientific Knowledge in Climate Adaptation in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

• Autorzy: Myuri Basdew , Obert Jiri , Paramu L. Mafongoya
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Indigenous knowledge has for generations assisted rural subsistence farming communities adapt to climate change and make daily decisions regarding agriculture. This study was conducted in the rural community of Swayimane, uMshwathi Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The main objective of the research was to determine the indigenous indicators used by rural farmers, identify the means through which seasonal climate information is disseminated and assess the strengths and weaknesses of indigenous and scientific knowledge. The other objective of the research was to evaluate the integration of indigenous and scientific weather forecasting. The research used 100 questionnaires which were administered to the subsistence farmers of the community. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were conducted with small groups of individuals. Results showed that majority of the indigenous indicators related to rainfall and seasonal predictions. Also, seasonal scientific climate information was mainly disseminated via television and radio. Local farmers highlighted that indigenous knowledge was essential in predicting seasonal changes and rainfall and scientific knowledge was not trusted. Indigenous knowledge is transmitted by oral tradition, from generation to generation and mainly among the elderly, and, thinly, to the younger generation. Scientific information was thought to be too technical and difficult to comprehend. It can be concluded that subsistence farmers were open to the integration of scientific and indigenous weather forecasting. They highlighted that it would improve decision making concerning their agricultural activities. (original abstract)

Słowa kluczowe

EN

Climate; Climate change; Research results

PL

Klimat; Zmiany klimatyczne; Wyniki badań

• Czasopismo: Change and Adaptation in Socio-Ecological Systems
• Rocznik: 2017
• Tom: 3
• Numer: nr 1
• Strony: 56--67

Twórcy

autor

Myuri Basdew

• University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

autor

Obert Jiri

• University of Zimbabwe, South Africa

autor

Paramu L. Mafongoya

• University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Bibliografia

• South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Climate Change and the Agricultural Sector. Climate and Impacts Factsheet Series 4, 2013.
• Jiri O., Mafongoya P., Chivenge P., Smallholder Farmer Perceptions on Climate Change and Variability: A Predisposition for their Subsequent Adaptation Strategies. Journal of Earth Science and Climate Change 6, 2015.
• Kniveton D., Visman E., Tall A., Diop M., Ewbank R., Njoroge E., Pearson L., Dealing with Uncertainty: Integrating Local and Scientific Knowledge of the Climate and Weather. Disasters, 2014, 39, S35-S53.
• Graaff M., Miller D., Koelle B., Oettle N., Campbell N., Robins N., Indigenous Knowledge and Responses to Climate Change: What we can Learn from these to deal with our Current Climate Crisis, 2009.
• Sraku-Lartey M., Harnessing Indigenous Knowledge for Sustainable Forest Management in Ghana. International Journal on Food System Dynamics, 2014, 5, 182-189.
• Macchi M., Oviedo G., Indigenous and Traditional Peoples and Climate Change. Issue Paper. International Union for Conservation of Nature, 2008.
• Elia E., Indigenous Knowledge Use in Seasonal Weather Forecasting in Tanzania: A Case of Central Semi-arid Tanzania. South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science, 2014, 80, 18-27.
• Zuma-Netshiukhwi G., Stigter K., Walker S., Use of Traditional Weather/Climate Knowledge by Farmers in the South-Western Free State of South Africa: Agrometeorological Learning by Scientists. Atmosphere. 4, 383-410. Free State, South Africa, 2013.
• Raymond M. C., Fazey I., Reed M. S., Stringer L. C., Robinson G. M., Evely A. C., Integrating Local and Scientific Knowledge for Environmental Management. Journal of Environmental Management, 2010, 91.
• South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)., Project Proposal to the Adaptation Fund: Building Resilience in the Greater uMgeni Catchment. Kwa Zulu-Natal, South Africa, 2014.
• Food And Agriculture Organisations Of The United Nations (FAO)., The State of Food and Agriculture: Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security. Rome , Italy, 2016.
• Seleti Y. N., Tlhompho G., Rural Women Subsistence Farmers, Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Agricultural Research in South Africa. Journal of Human Ecology, 2014, 48, 33-41.
• Reyes-García V., Fernández-Llamazares A., Gučze M., Garcés A., Mallo M., Vila-Gómez M., Vilaseca M., Local indicators of climate change: The potential contribution of local knowledge to climate research. Wiley Interdisciplinary Review of Climate Change, 2016, 7,1, 109-124.
• Kijazi A. L., Changa L. B., Liwenga E. T., Kanemba A., Nindi S. J., The Use of Indigenous Knowledge in Weather and Climate Prediction in Mahenge and Ismani Wards, Tanzania. Proceedings of the First Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation Programme Scientific Conference. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 2012.
• Nhemachena C., Mano R., Mudombi S., Muwanigwa V., Perceptions on Climate Change and its Impacts on Livelihood s in Hwange district, Zimbabwe. Journal of Disaster Risk Studies 6, 2014.
• International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)., The Traditional Knowledge Advantage Indigenous peoples' Knowledge in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies. Rome, Italy, 2016.
• Sraku-Lartey M., Foli E., Aboagye D., Adjei P. O., A Literature Review of Indigenous Knowledge on Climate Change Adaptation by Local Communities in Ghana. Ghana, Africa, 2014.

Identyfikatory

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1515/cass-2017-0006