Global Advanced Research Journal of Agricultural Science
October 2012 Vol. 1(8), pp 201-209
Copyright © 2012 Global Advanced Research Journals

Review

Indigenous Knowledge System: The Need for Reform and the Way Forward

¹Chikaire, J., ²Osuagwu, C.O., ²Ihenacho, R.A., ²Oguegbuchulam, M. N., ¹Ejiogu-Okereke, N., and ³Obi, K.U.

¹Department of Agricultural Extension, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State; 

²Department of Agricultural Management and Extension Technology, Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Ohaji, Imo State, 

³ Department of Agriculture, Isu-Njaba High School, Imo State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: rosafyne24@yahoo.com

Accepted 20 September, 2012

Abstract

Indigenous knowledge is local knowledge that is unique to a given culture acquired by local people through the accumulation of experiences, informal experiments, and intimate understanding of the environment in a given culture. It is the actual knowledge of a given population that reflects the experiences based on traditions and includes more recent experiences with modern technologies. Local people, including farmers, landless laborers, women, rural artisans, and cattle-rearers, are the custodians of indigenous knowledge systems. Indigenous knowledge is dynamic, changing through indigenous mechanisms of creativity and innovativeness as well as through contact with other local and international knowledge systems. With the rapid environmental, social, economic and political changes occurring in many areas and the deaths of elderly people since there is no formal documentation,  comes the danger that the indigenous knowledge they posses will be overwhelmed and lost forever. In this paper, we discuss the concept of indigenous knowledge, the various areas of using indigenous knowledge by the African societies, the need for reformation of indigenous knowledge. We also proposed six important considerations for moving forward.

Keywords: Indigenous Knowledge, sustainability, management, natural resources.

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