Berlin – Two researchers are delving into the rich tapestry of indigenous knowledge to find solutions to climate change. Adenike Adebukola Akinsemolu and Christer de Silva, participants in the Humboldt Residency Programme, are focusing on how traditional wisdom can be integrated into modern sustainability efforts.
Akinsemolu, a Nigerian researcher, highlights the profound understanding of nature held by women in coastal communities. Their ability to predict weather patterns, conserve mangroves, and harvest rainwater offers invaluable insights for climate adaptation. However, the erosion of traditional practices due to Western influence and environmental degradation threatens this knowledge. “Sustainability is a normal way of life in Nigeria’s coastal regions,” Akinsemolu says. “Local women are the custodians of traditional knowledge. They collect rainwater, preserve the mangroves and can predict the weather by observing the ocean.”
De Silva, a Filipino science communicator, is focused on bridging the gap between indigenous and scientific knowledge. He advocates for collaborative research that respects and values local perspectives. “For a long time, environmental protection was conducted by people who did not live in the protected areas and built natural parks from the idea of ‘wilderness’ as untouched lands outside human presence,” De Silva explains. “As a result, many indigenous peoples and local communities were forced to relocate in order to create conservation areas. This broke up communities; knowledge and cultural diversity were lost.”
Both researchers emphasize the importance of language preservation as a crucial factor in safeguarding traditional knowledge. Akinsemolu notes the decline of local languages in Nigeria and its impact on cultural practices. “Language is one of the most important ways of passing on traditions,” she stresses. “But since people are no longer learning the local language, the traditional practices are also lost.”
