Chapter Four: Understanding Indigenous Knowledge
[Link] concept of indigenous knowledge Group Discussion
1. What is the meaning of indigenous knowledge?
2. State some example of indigenous knowledge of Ethiopia
➢Indigenous knowledge
developed by a local people (domestic and native)
Result of long histories of their social life
interaction with their environment
Indigenous knowledge is oral,
holistic, local, and practical in daily life in the
communities
Local knowledge
It encompasses the skill, experience, and insight of the people
Not imported or copied from others
Traditional knowledge
home grown
part of community practice
developed by people through years of
careful observation and experimentation
Adopted to local culture and environment
Transmitted orally through imitation, demonstration
And experimentation
➢ Consist of ideas, custom, taboos, codes,
institution and artifacts. native practice, continuity
of habitual
➢ Ethiopia is a country with rich
indigenous knowledge systems in
areas such as
Architecture yehintsa xibebeb)
Pottery (yeshekila seri)
Medicine
Agriculture
Cottage industry (gojo industry) (Weaving, leather
working, and blacksmithing)
conflict resolution and environmental conservations
Example
Ethiopia has a long history and is home to several
cultural heritage monuments, including the Aksum
Obelisk, Gonder's Fasile-Genbe (Fasile Palace),
Lalibela Monolithic Church, and Harari's city walls
indigenous knowledge in producing
4.2. The role of
responsible citizens
Activities
[Link] does it mean by responsible citizen mean?
[Link] are the contribution of indigenous knowledge in producing responsible citizen
➢Responsible citizen:
knowledge and commitment
regarding his/her contributions for the betterment
knowledge regarding his/her
and
commitment contributions for
the betterment
Indigenous
➢ contribute knowledge
a lot for peace, socio-economic
development, health, agriculture, arts
conflict resolution mechanisms can play a great role in
ensuring sustainable peace
wise use of resources available in the natural
environment (belief systems have crucial roles in
restricting people from cutting down trees)
Konso people’s indigenous knowledge of water
and soil conservation terracing
Indigenous Agroforestry system of Gedeo community
is taken as good examples.
provide valuable options for local people than
the western technologies
For example, pottery, iron smiths, jewelry,
weaving, wood carving, leather works
❖ Indigenous peace building and
conflict resolution mechanisms
▪ Jaarsummaa of the Oromo
▪ Shimglina and Erq of the Amhara
▪ Yejoka of the Gurage
▪ Mada’a and Mablo of the Afar
▪ Gedana of the Sidama
▪ Guurt system of the Somali,
▪ Gereb in Tigray
➢ paramount significances than modern conflict
resolution institutions
[Link] role of indigenous social institutions in solving
problems of communities
Activities
1. Describe the role indigenous social institution in solving problems of communities
➢Indigenous social institution refers:
▪established locally by voluntary cooperation or association
▪based on their own mutual trust
▪voluntarily- established by local people mainly to support
each other
difficulty (mourning)
to resolve conflict
to serve as financial sources
➢Some of them are, Iddir, Iqqub,
Debo/Jigie, Mahber/Senbete, Siinqee, etc:
➢Siinqee
Set of rights exercised by women in the
Oromoo society.
Indicate women’s respect and power in the society.
Women’s economic,
participation in the
political, social, cultural and religious
roles
activities.
in protecting women’s rights and
ensuring gender equality through Siinqee solidarity
roles in ensuring peace and resolving conflicts in the
society.
➢ Iddir
voluntarily established by the local people
mainly for self-help and other social activities
provide mutual aid in burial matters
helping people in funeral activities
significant roles in coping sudden risks its
members face such as death of livestock like oxen,
asset losses
serving as a credit institution
➢ Iqqub:
▪ established by people based on mutual trust
▪ Providing financial services to the members.
▪ is the rotating type of saving
▪ Money can be paid to members through lottery
method.
▪ used to purchase durable goods, agricultural inputs,
food items, cover school fees
➢ Mahber or Senbete
▪ voluntary associations of individuals to help each other
when a member may face some serious problems like
death, burning down of properties, enjoy together
▪ gather together at one common place per week or
per month
➢ Debo/Jigie (Labor Sharing)
▪ culture of helping each other among local peoples
during plugging, weeding or other events like; harvesting