![]() In various contexts, it may be presented as local knowledge or traditional knowledge, all coming to mean the same thing (Kelman, Mercer & Gaillard 2012). Indigenous knowledge has been passed down generations, gained from knowledge of the environment which is revealed through intuitions, dreams or visions (Agrawal 1995). Local communities in African countries are faced with various types of hazards and to tackle such hazards, the local communities use local, community-based strategies obtained from their indigenous knowledge (Nyong, Adesina & Osman Elasha 2007). Indigenous knowledge has made local communities live in harmony with their environment for long periods of time – this has improved knowledge about their environment, knowledge which is acquired through the practice of coping mechanisms, methods of conservation, studying the weather and seasons prediction (Mwaura 2008). In Africa, indigenous knowledge has been used in traditional medicine, agriculture and food production, engineering and ecological management for natural resources (Domfeh 2007). It has also been argued that ways through which this knowledge is spread in communities could act as a model in education on issues of disaster risk reduction (Shaw et al. ![]() Such activity makes local disaster management champions in their own right. One point, for instance, is the role indigenous knowledge plays in empowering local community members to take front roles in activities aimed at disaster risk reduction such as mixed cropping which sustains soil and leads to yield of various crops – this ensures alternative crops are available for consumption if some other crops fail (Mwaura 2008). 2015) in disaster risk reduction highlights important points. Literature on the value of indigenous knowledge (Hilhorst et al. Its potential for improving disaster risk reduction policies has been discussed on various platforms, such as the management of disasters in the Asia-Pacific region, with reference to the Hyogo Framework for Action – Priority 3 (Shaw, Noralene & Baumwoll 2008a). ![]() The importance of indigenous knowledge in the field of disaster management has continued to grow (Mercer et al. However, there have been calls for increased utilisation of knowledge of the local people – knowledge which has been used for generations to mitigate hazards and reduce disasters in local communities (Gaillard & Mercer 2012 UNISDR 2005). ![]() Indigenous knowledge is usually underappreciated as it is viewed in some quarters as inferior to scientific knowledge (Mercer et al. Disaster risk reduction policies of developing countries had been known to be carried out, using scientific knowledge, while ignoring the value of indigenous knowledge (Gaillard & Mercer 2012 Rist & Dahdouh-Guebas 2006). Indigenous knowledge has been receiving a lot of attention since the early 1990s in the field of disaster management and in issues associated with climate change (Hiwasaki et al. Indigenous knowledge: Relevant knowledge? This would lead to better strategies which originate from the community level but would aim for overall sustainable development in Africa. Literature used in this article, obtained from the books, papers and publications of various experts in the fields of disaster risk reduction, climate change, indigenous knowledge and adaptation, highlight the need for more interest to be shown in indigenous knowledge, especially in the developing country context. Understanding how local people in Africa have managed to survive and adapt for generations, before the arrival of Western education, may be the key to developing sustainable policies to mitigate future challenges. Ignoring the importance of understanding adaptive strategies of the local people has led to failed projects. Colonialism and lack of proper documentation of indigenous knowledge are some of the contributing factors to this. The wealth of this knowledge has not been well-recognised in the disaster risk reduction field, as policy-makers still rely on mitigation strategies based on scientific knowledge. Although much has been written about indigenous knowledge, its documentation in the area of disaster risk reduction and climate change in Africa has been very limited. This knowledge originates from the interaction between members of the community and the environment in which they live. Indigenous knowledge is valuable knowledge that has helped local communities all over the world survive for generations.
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