Abstract
This paper introduces indigenous land knowledge conservation systems as a significant resource which would contribute to the increased efficiency and effectiveness in the management of land and land based resources among rural communities. Despite their critical role in the conservation of the land based resources, these knowledge systems and technologies are being marginalized or even forgotten among rural communities. This paper discusses Teso community indigenous land conservation systems and the effects of their level of application/adoption on land use/land cover status trends from the time of Kenya’s pre-independence to the 2000s era. Data was collected using a variety of social science research methods such as structured questionnaires, in-depth face-to-face interviews, focussed group discussions, content analysis of literature and environmental check lists. The status of the bio-physical environment was tracked using GIS techniques. The common Teso community indigenous land conservation systems included mixed farming, traditional terracing, use of grass-strips, agro-forestry and fallowing. Results showed that adherence to the key Teso community indigenous land management systems have been on the decline since the 1960s. This has negatively impacted on the state of the biophysical environment by increasing land area under rain-fed agriculture by 11.2% and a decline in land under seasonal swamps by 21% between 1973 and 2010. Land size under wetlands dropped by about 33% between 1973 and 2000. These changes were indicative of the negative impact of the decline in level of application of indigenous land conservation systems in the protection and conservation of these resources.. In view of the above, it is recommended that rekindling, recording and preservation of indigenous land-based best practices among local communities such as the Teso for sustainable land management must be integrated into conventional environmental management plans. Key words: Indigenous knowledge systems, land cover, land use, conservation, Teso, Kenya.
Highlights
Since time immemorial, Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKSs) have been used in Africa and in many other parts of the world for a number of purposes as determined by the needs of the society concerned
The study found out that the use of the five main indigenous land conservation systems which included: mixed farming, agro-forestry, traditional terracing, use of grass-strips and fallowing have been on the decline since the 1960s
The results showed that, prior to 1963 the time Kenya gained internal self-rule, up to 94% of the respondents upheld the use of traditional mixed farming, 88% agroforestry, 81% traditional terracing, 84% use of grass strips and 80% observed traditional fallowing/shifting cultivation as a strategy for maintaining the vegetation cover within the study area
Summary
Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKSs) have been used in Africa and in many other parts of the world for a number of purposes as determined by the needs of the society concerned. They include knowledge forms that have remained despite the effects of colonialism, western imperialism and ignorance. Chikaire et al (2012) referred to these knowledge systems as, “a body of knowledge, or bodies of knowledge of the indigenous people of particular geographical areas that have survived on for a very long period of time” Such knowledge is referred to as the local knowledge that is unique to a culture or society. In view of this, Maffi and Woodley (2010) have argued that due to the critical role that TEK plays in shaping natural resource management strategies, its rapid degradation can have substantial implications on the quality of land based resources
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