Indigenous knowledge systems and ecological stewardship: Preservation, traditional practices, and sacred landscapes in the Northern Tinderet–Nabkoi Forest, Kenya

Abstract

Native knowledge systems contribute greatly to the conservation and sustainable management of forest ecosystems, especially where the community engages in centuries-old cultural relationships with the environment. The paper looked at the indigenous knowledge systems in ecological stewardship in Northern Tinderet-Nabkoi Forest in Kenya. The findings were guided by actor-network theory; it adopted the qualitative research design. The target group was composed of community people with great ecological and cultural knowledge, such as elders, herbalists, diviners, women who hold medicinal knowledge, local administrators, and community forest association members. The research used purposive sampling in order to come up with respondents with specialized ecological knowledge applicable in the research objectives. Data were gathered using the semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews (KIIs), and focus group discussions (FGDs). Thematic analysis was used to analyze data and consisted of identifying repetitive patterns, concepts, and categories related to their respective research objectives. The study took a desktop research approach on secondary information in the form of scholarly publications, policy reports, and literature available on indigenous ecological practices. The research particularly addressed the continuation and passing of indigenous knowledge systems, traditional ecological practices leading to the conservation of biodiversity, and how belief systems and sacred landscapes can be pursued to take care of the environment. The results indicate that the indigenous knowledge is maintained on the basis of oral traditions, cultural rites, and the mentorship of the generations, and older people and females are the main agents of knowledge transfer. Rotational utilization of resources, agroforestry, controlled burning, and totemic taboos are traditional practices that add up to conservation of biodiversity. Moreover, belief systems, sacred groves, and environmental rituals are cultural processes that control how human beings interact with the forest ecosystem. Modernization, formal education systems, and religious change have, however, undermined traditional methods of knowledge transmission. The paper concludes that incorporating the indigenous knowledge systems in the contemporary conservation policies can help to improve the sustainable forest management without eroding cultural heritage. The study recommends that the policymakers and conservation authorities should take an active part in liaising with the local elders, women, and ritual experts to formulate inclusive conservation policies and frameworks that observe cultural values and traditional governance practices.