Pluralism and Collaboration in Knowledge-Making

Indigenous Knowledge

Raquel S VelhoDepartment of Science and Technology Studies

24/10/2013

Typical representations of Science

• Seen as a privileged connection with nature.

• Perceived as the most effective way of producing knowledge.

• Objective, universal.

General perception of indigenous knowledge• Seen as primitive,

undeveloped, traditional.

• Dismissed as "too localised", or too attached to its environment.

• Mystical, voodoo, religious connotations.

"Indigenous knowledge refers to the methods and practices developed by a group of people from an advanced understanding of the local environment, which has formed over numerous generations of habitation. This knowledge contains several other important characteristics which distinguish it from other types of knowledge. These include originating within the community, maintaining a non-formal means of dissemination, collectively owned, developed over several generations and subject to adaptation, and imbedded in a community’s way of life as a means of survival." 

- UN/ISDR (2008)

• Indigenous knowledge is intrinsically linked with its environment.

Transmission of knowledge is non-formal - linked to its environment.

IK and disaster risk reduction

Moken, Thailand and Simeulue, Indonesia: tsunamis, legends and traditions.

Earthquake-resistant architecture in Nias

Science/IK Collaboration

• Ontological pluralism - P. Feyerabend.

• Making up for the other's shortcomings.

• Long-term/short-term, universal/local.

IK "to the rescue"

• Mass agriculture - little consideration to particular environment.

• IK gave particular attention to local soil needs.

• Combination of high-tech and old techniques gives higher crop yields.

• Precision agriculture.

Science "to the rescue"

• Walrus/climate/indigenous people interaction.

• Climate change -> walrus immigration patterns -> IK becomes less accurate.

• IK is very exact and local. Scientific knowledge accumulated over past centuries is more general.

• Combination of both plus technological artefacts helps local communities.