MAASAE RESOURCE CENTRE FOR INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE IN TANZANIA

Abstract

The paper reviews definitions of the concept indigenous knowledge and proceed to narrate its role as the information base of the rural community's (pastoral groups - Maasae herders in particular) whereby, it facilitates communication and empowers as a technoculture tool of decision-making. It emphasizes the value of indigenous knowledge not only, for the cultural community from where it evolves, but also for scientists, librarians, information technologists, policy makers, planners and others. Furthermore the paper contends that, in order for development programmes to be successful and sustainable they need to build on the ethnic communities' indigenous knowledge and language. The paper proceeds to give a detailed discussion on the account that, indigenous knowledge should be used as a starting point of a development process whereby, the indigenous knowledge and science can be merged into an effective development strategy. It further contends interventions that did not take into account indigenous knowledge systems have proved socially, economically and environmentally unsuccessful. It also makes reference a strong attraction the United Nations Conference on Environment (UNCED) has made by giving recognition issues of intellectual property rights in indigenous knowledge and innovations. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) recognition of indigenous knowledge and the World Conference on Science for the 21 st Century calling action for governments to formulate national policies that allow a wider use of application of indigenous forms of learning and knowledge. Furthermore, it documents the United Nations organs emphasis on use and applications ofIK. The Science Conference continued to urge concerned countries to strongly sustain indigenous knowledge systems of their local communities. Further reiterated that, this can be achieved through active support of the societies who are the keepers and developers of that knowledge, their way of life, and their social organizations. Give strong support protection and conservation of their environment, in which they live, and fully recognize the contribution of women as repositories of a large part of local communities' indigenous knowledge. The paper recommends use of indigenous knowledge in development interventions, bridged up and managed by the regional libraries in ECSA and professionals. It also highlight's an important link relationship between ethnobotany utilization in ethnoveterinary and ethnomedicine practices among the ecosystem herding pastoralists and others in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa. Then concludes by calling concerted action by professionals and academicians at higher schools of learning to create a thrust synergy on issues of knowledge management and indigenous knowledge for the development of Africa 's information systems and services.