Indigenous Knowledge in Disaster Risk Reduction (original) (raw)
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The importance of indigenous knowledge in reducing risk from disasters and natural calamities has been widely discussed in the social sciences by scholars arguing for integrative frameworks and participatory processes. This type of knowledge is vital for archipelagic developing countries, such as the Philippines, situated in a geographical area exposed to natural hazards. However, despite its potential contribution to disaster prevention, mitigation, response, rehabilitation and recovery, along with possible combination strategies with western scientific knowledge towards reducing vulnerability and disaster risk management, the literature on the integration of specific communities' indigenous knowledge-based disaster preparedness and adaptation is still limited. The novel contribution of this article is in the discussion of the unique indigenous knowledge identified in the cases of San Miguel Island, Camotes Island and Alabat Island, which is utilized even up to the present. Particularly, this study identifies substantial aspects of indigenous knowledge that contribute to disaster risk reduction in the three selected cases. Findings reveal myriad indigenous knowledge pertaining to intensity, height, direction and movement of ocean waves; intensity of winds; sudden surfacing of deep-sea creatures and unease of animals; different patterns of clouds, darkening of skies and foggy horizons, among others. In closely examining indigenous knowledge, this study sheds new light by providing meaningful insights for its contribution to disaster preparedness.
International journal of disaster risk reduction, 2020
There's a growing recognition by scholars that local-indigenous knowledge can make important contributions to both disaster risk reduction and managing environmental change. This paper interrogated the local-indigenous knowledge and practices of the Mamanwa indigenous peoples in Basey, Samar, after Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines in November 2013. Data for this study were drawn from ethnographic fieldwork from late 2018 to early 2020. This paper is broken up into three parts. The first part presents how Mamanwas utilize their local-indigenous knowledge in times of disaster in relation to 1) emergency evacuation and post-Haiyan relocation; 2) food and livelihood security strategies; 3) weather forecasts from animals, and 4) celestial bodies, and 5) the role of community elders as local hazard forecasters. Next, the study analyzes the lack of regard to integrate local-indigenous knowledge into disaster risk reduction (DRR) state policies such as the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act and the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act as well as the low regard on local-indigenous knowledge of non-indigenous people manifested in social prejudice and discrimination. Despite these, local DRR practitioners find innovative ways to integrate local-indigenous knowledge in local programs and activities. Following Haiyan, the elderly Mamanwas also dedicated special activities to ensure the transmission and preservation of their local-indigenous knowledge in the younger members of their community. The authors argue that in addition to the inclusion and better articulation of local-indigenous knowledge in relevant State policies, the meaningful participation of local communities including Indigenous Peoples should be the focus of local DRR actors.
International Journal of Disaster Management, 2019
This study explores the importance of indigenous knowledge for everyday practices of disaster risk reduction and response. Many existing studies have highlighted the need to integrate such knowledge with modern science. Based on ethnographic research in indigenous communities in the Mentawai Islands of Indonesia, this study explores the categorization of indigenous knowledge in the integration process. To that end, primary data were collected through in-depth interviews while secondary data were collected from relevant documents, including books, articles, websites and government and NGO reports. The findings indicate that indigenous knowledge is acquired through long observation and interaction with disasters. Although some of this knowledge is based on successes in other localities, some indigenous knowledge is completely local, homogenous and shared among community members. It was also established that indigenous knowledge can be meaningfully organized into a number of categories...
This position paper shall place itself on the importance of indigenous knowledge and local history through cultural studies in building capacity for the local and the vulnerable. This shall anchor on two articles, one with Anthony Oliver-Smith’s “500 Years of Earthquake in Peru,” and Lisa Hiwasaki, Emmanuel Luna, Syamsidik, and Rajib Shaw’s “Process for integrating local and indigenous knowledge with science for hydro-meteorological disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in coastal and small island communities,” among others.
Indigenous Knowledge Disaster Risk Reduction Policy Note
Research on the phenomena of disasters in the Asia-Pacific region over the past decades has resulted in a wealth of knowledge on the strong link between environment and disasters, and between human practices and the environment. Human practices that evolved over centuries have been tested by time and proven to be sustainable and effective in both reducing disasters and managing unavoidable hazards. Anthropological research of many traditional communities of the Asia and the Pacific have documented a wealth of indigenous knowledge that are passed down from generations and are internalized by the communities through a process of socialization and are part of their life styles. Humanitarian practice in the region by various organizations working in the area of disaster reduction and response has revealed a multitude of undocumented and overlooked practices in many indigenous communities. These practices exhibit a deep understanding and ability to cope with disasters through local actions. There is a growing realization that such practices must be acknowledged and will form the basis for a holistic approach to disaster reduction that links indigenous knowledge with modern technologies. Undoubtedly, there is compelling evidence for the Asia-Pacific region to recognize and strengthen its wealth of Indigenous Knowledge for providing local solutions to global problems of increasing disasters and climate change impacts. This Policy Note aims to provide a directional path for mainstreaming Indigenous Knowledge in Disaster Risk Reduction by national authorities and ministries of disaster management, ministries of education, institutions of higher education in disaster management, and international and national NGOs in Asian countries.
Framework for integrating indigenous and scientific knowledge for disaster risk reduction
Disasters, 2010
A growing awareness of the value of indigenous knowledge has prompted calls for its use within disaster risk reduction. The use of indigenous knowledge alongside scientific knowledge is increasingly advocated but there is as yet no clearly developed framework demonstrating how the two may be integrated to reduce community vulnerability to environmental hazards. This paper presents such a framework, using a participatory approach in which relevant indigenous and scientific knowledge may be integrated to reduce a community's vulnerability to environmental hazards. Focusing on small island developing states it presents an analysis of the need for such a framework alongside the difficulties of incorporating indigenous knowledge. This is followed by an explanation of the various processes within the framework, drawing on research completed in Papua New Guinea. This framework is an important first step in identifying how indigenous and scientific knowledge may be integrated to reduce community vulnerability to environmental hazards.
Disaster Risk Management in Teso, Uganda, 2013
The study focused on Indigenous knowledge, Community structures, Institutional response and Disaster risk management in Teso sub-region. The objectives of the study were to; examine the relationship between indigenous knowledge and disaster risk management, examine the relationship between indigenous knowledge and community structures, investigate the relationship between indigenous knowledge, institutional response and disaster risk management and determining the relationship between indigenous knowledge, community structures, institutional response and disaster risk management. The research design was descriptive; it used both qualitative and quantitative approaches in collecting data from the study population totaling 483 respondents. Proportionate stratified random sampling was used to select the sample of 264 respondents from the leaders of the Non Government Organisations, members of disaster management committees and house hold heads. Data was analyzed using descriptive analysis option of SPSS version (17.0), and was then presented using Spearman’s correlation, multiple regression and factor structure loadings of the relationship and prediction for Indigenous knowledge, Community structures, Institutional response and Disaster risk management. The major findings of the study were that there is a significant positive correlation between; indigenous knowledge and disaster risk management (r= 0.370, P-value < 0.01), indigenous knowledge and community structures (r = 0.587, P-value < 0.01), indigenous knowledge, institutional response and disaster risk management r = 0.611, P-value < 0.01) and between indigenous knowledge, community structures, institutional response and disaster risk management r = 0.370, 0.693, 0.398, P-value < 0.01). The study recommended that it is essential to develop people’s indigenous values as this is the core of security which is an integral part of disaster prevention, preparedness and management, there should be development of community structures so that with indigenous values, projects can be set up in a bid to prevent and manage disasters in the areas and disaster response teams should be trained and equipped with skills that are in line with their indigenous knowledge which will help in disaster management since it is a key tool.