Hydronyms of pools along Gweru River in the silobela district of Zimbabwe as holistic indigenous knowledge (IK) for integrated water resources management

Abstract

Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) have been used by the Ndebele to record their history, to control human behaviour, to manage natural resources and for production and one such IKS is the name and naming system. This paper evaluates the conservation effect of names of pools along the Gweru River in the Silobela district of Zimbabwe. Names especially toponyms and ethnonyms transcend their denotative function to perform other functions which help control human behaviour and activities Hydronyms are toponyms given to water bodies and in Ndebele culture most water bodies are named with conserving and managing them in mind, the names serve as information and deterrents and this culminates in a holistic approach to Water Resources Management (WRM). The holistic approach to water management in Ndebele names integrates animal husbandry, agriculture, seasonal changes, fishing, recreation and domestic water uses. The names are active propositions historically formulated to prevent water accidents, water pollution, over use, over fishing, excessive erosion and minimising conflicts between humans and aquatic animals. The hydronyms do not serve a referential purpose only but are symbolic warnings on aquatic dangers to human beings and livestock and against practices that threaten water sources. The research deploys etymological analysis to get the history of the hydronyms and IKS to evaluate their value as an IK for Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).