Ecological Wisdom Research Articles

The Value of Ecological Wisdom in the Oral Story of the Toba Batak "Tombak Sulu Sulu": An Ethnographic Study

This research explores the values of ecological wisdom contained in Toba Batak's oral stories, especially the legend of "Tombak Sulu Sulu." The background of this research is based on the importance of environmental preservation amid the threat of ecological disasters around Lake Toba. The method used is qualitative, with an ethnographic study conducted in the Bakkara Valley. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with traditional leaders, field observations, and documentation related to the legend. The results showed that this legend contains five central values of ecological wisdom: respecting nature, living in harmony with nature, wise use of natural resources, using environmental knowledge for place naming (toponymy), and making nature a spiritual tool. These values emphasize the importance of harmonious relationships between humans and the environment that can be integrated into nature conservation and sustainable development efforts. This research offers a new perspective on how traditional narratives can build societal ecological awareness.

Research on the English Translation of Culture-Bound Terms in Yi Dialect Oral Literature from the Perspective of Four-life Maxim

The accurate translation of culture-bound terms is vital for ensuring the faithful representation of ethnic minority oral literature. Analyzing the English translation of these terms can significantly promote minority cultures, offer a comprehensive view of China to the world, and enhance the narrative of Chinese stories. China’s Eco-Translatology, rooted in Eastern ecological wisdom, provides a framework for translation in the new era, emphasizing Four-life Maxim. Guided by this theory, this paper examines the English translation of culture-bound terms in the Yi oral literature Meige, providing a reference for translating China’s minority literature.

Simple Life, Rich Soul

Henry David Thoreau was an outstanding American philosopher, writer and representative figure of transcendentism in the 19th century, and he was famous for his advanced ecological wisdom and profound naturalist philosophy. Combing the analysis of human alienation, Thoreau’s ecological thought, and its harmony with Chinese ecological thought, this paper can better understand Thoreau’s unique insights into ecological development and the expectations of different civilizations to learn from each other in peace.

Ecological Wisdom and Spatial Form of Traditional Settlements in Southwest Fujian, China

This study focuses on the ecological wisdom and spatial forms of traditional settlements in southwest Fujian, China, aiming to explore the practical experiences of these settlements in ecological planning and sustainable development, as well as their application value in modern society. Through analyzing the distribution status of traditional villages in Fujian Province, this research adopts a combination of document collection and field interviews to deeply investigate the geographical location, climatic characteristics, topographic and hydrological features, and human environmental characteristics of southwest Fujian. In addition, this study provides a detailed description of the architectural styles of southwest Fujian and the landscape elements of traditional villages in the region.In the discussion section, it is pointed out that there is currently a lack of deep understanding of local ecological wisdom, rapid development has led to a lack of macro spatial planning and control, and there is insufficient guidance for the development of villages. The conclusion emphasizes that in order to protect and inherit the ecological wisdom and spatial characteristics of these traditional settlements, it is necessary to strengthen the understanding and respect for local ecological culture, combine modern planning techniques, and develop more forward-looking and practical development plans.This study not only provides a new perspective and methodological support for the protection and development of traditional settlements in southwest Fujian, but also serves as a reference for the research and practice of traditional settlements in other regions.

The Ecological Wisdom and Spatial Form of Rural Settlements in China: A Systematic Review

The Ecological Wisdom and Spatial Form of Rural Settlements in China: A Systematic Review

Spatial Distribution, Influencing Factors and Sustainable Development of Fishery Cultural Resources in the Yangtze River Basin

Agricultural cultural heritage is crucial in advancing comprehensive rural revitalization. The Yangtze River Basin is rich in biodiversity and abundant in fishery cultural resources. The cultural resources not only reflect the ecological wisdom of harmonious coexistence and the human–land relationship between humans and nature but also provide critical cultural support for rural revitalization and watershed sustainable development. This study investigates the spatial distribution, influencing factors, and historical evolution of fishery cultural resources in the Yangtze River Basin. The highest proportions of significant resources are found in fishery engineering and landscapes, culinary flavors, fishery customs, dances, fishery gear, and poetry. By analyzing 14 categories of fishery cultural resources and 157 national and provincial intangible cultural heritage items, this study reveals a significant geographical clustering of these resources in the mid-lower reaches, particularly around the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and Poyang Lake Basin, Wuhan and Dongting Lake, and the lower reaches of the Taihu Lake Basin. This study underscores the role of natural geographical conditions, aquatic biodiversity, socio-economic factors, and historical–cultural backgrounds in the distribution and evolution of fishery cultural resources, with these factors interacting dynamically. By advocating for a comprehensive approach to coordinating fishery culture preservation with rural revitalization, this study outlines a multidimensional strategy for the preservation and sustainable development of fishery cultural resources.

Grievable/Disposable lives in the Anthropocene culture: Ecoprecarity, indigeneity and ecological wisdom in Kaala Paani

Grievable/Disposable lives in the Anthropocene culture: Ecoprecarity, indigeneity and ecological wisdom in <i>Kaala Paani</i>

Intercultural dialogue on ecopedagogy between Daoism and Naess’ ecosophy: Comparing and integrating Chinese and Western ecological wisdom

Dialogues between ecological wisdom across the East and the West contribute to generating unorthodox education, improving cross-cultural ecopedagogical praxis, and reinforcing education for sustainable development (ESD). In this article, Chinese Daoism and Norwegian Naessian ecosophy are compared and integrated to form an intercultural ecopedagogy. Indigenous Daoist wisdom entails profound ecopedagogical implications in learning from nature, human-nature reciprocity, and spontaneous, altruistic, and harmonious modes of action. Moreover, the cosmo-metaphysical notion of qi (氣) implies an alternative ecopedagogy that may empower learners to consolidate psychosomatic learning and embody human-nature oneness. Correspondingly, Arne Naess’ life philosophy promotes ecocentric living and education that underline experiential relations, non-violent symbiosis, and activeness in sensing and feeling. Naess’ postulation on subjective aesthetical identification with nature can be seen as one sensible complement to objective scientific knowledge of the ecosystem, facilitating individuals’ holistic and personally meaningful formation of be(com)ing ecocitizens. The reciprocity of Lao Zhuang’s and Naess’ ecological wisdom is argued to shed new light on theories and practices of ecopedagogy and combat dualism and anthropocentrism cross-culturally and innovatively.

Ecological wisdom in the legend of Otak Aiq Tojang: An ecocritical analysis

This study examines the Legend of Otak Aiq Tojang to explore ecological wisdom and spirituality within the Sasak people. Otak Aiq Tojang is a spring sacred to the Sasak people in Lendang Nangka village. This study used a literary ecocriticism approach with data collection techniques in the form of observation and interviews. Interviews were conducted with five informants representing predetermined social layers in the community using purposive sampling. The analysis reveals that the legend has profound significance in Sasak’s life, symbolizing a harmonious balance between humans and nature. The connection between ecological policy and sustainability is underscored by the legend of Dewi Anjani, a purported mythological being, and Betere Indra Guru Sakti’s arrival and subsequent discovery of the spring. These tales have an impact on religious observances, including Begawe Beleq and Maulid Adat, which commemorate Prophet Muhammad’s birth. These legends serve not only as historical narratives but also as sources of spiritual and ecological insights. The water deemed auspicious by Otak Aiq Tojang symbolizes sustainability, reflecting the community’s holistic perspective on the environment. Prohibitions of indiscriminate entry and specific food offerings during rituals signify a dedicated preservation effort, illustrating the interconnectedness of cultural norms and ecosystem maintenance. This study enhances our understanding of Sasak’s ecological wisdom, particularly within the context of the Otak Aiq Tojang legend. The implications extend to a deeper comprehension of the interplay between myths, religious rituals, and nature conservation in local cultural settings, thus providing a basis for future research in this domain.

Ethnobotanical insights into the traditional food plants of the Baiku Yao community: a study of cultural significance, utilization, and conservation

BackgroundThe Baiku Yao, primarily residing in Guangxi and Guizhou provinces of China, is a distinctive branch of the Yao ethnic group, known for their profound cultural preservation and unique ethnobotanical knowledge. This study investigates the Baiku Yao community’s utilization of traditional food plants, focusing on the relationship between their dietary practices and the local biodiversity within their mountainous living environment. It aims to illuminate the cultural significance and survival strategies embedded in their ethnobotanical knowledge, highlighting the potential for sustainable living and biodiversity conservation.MethodsThrough ethnobotanical surveys, key informant interviews, and quantitative analysis techniques such as the cultural food significance index (CFSI) and relative frequency of citations (RFC), this research systematically documents the diversity and cultural importance of edible plants in the Baiku Yao community. The study assesses how these plants contribute to the community’s diet, traditional medicine, and overall cultural practices.ResultsA total of 195 traditional edible plants were documented, belonging to 142 genera and 68 families, with a significant concentration in certain families such as Asteraceae, Rosaceae, and Fabaceae. The Baiku Yao diet prominently features herbaceous plants, with wild (103 species) and cultivated (89 species) varieties as diverse food sources. They utilize various plant parts, particularly fruits and leaves, for multiple purposes, including nutrition, medicine, and fodder. Their processing techniques, from raw to fermented, showcase a rich culinary tradition and emphasize a holistic use of plants for enhancing diet and health in a concise overview. The RFC and CFSI analyses reveal a deep cultural reliance on a variety of plant species, with a notable emphasis on vegetables, fruits, spices, and medicinal herbs. Specific plants like Zingiber officinale, Zea mays, and Oryza sativa were highlighted for their high cultural significance. The study also uncovers the multifunctional use of these plants, not only as food but also for medicinal purposes, fodder, and other cultural applications, reflecting the Baiku Yao’s profound ecological wisdom and their harmonious coexistence with nature.ConclusionThe findings emphasize the rich ethnobotanical knowledge possessed by the Baiku Yao, underscoring the importance of documenting, safeguarding, and transmitting this invaluable traditional knowledge. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of cultural heritage and biodiversity conservation, advocating for concerted efforts to protect such traditional practices against the threats of modernization and cultural erosion.

Spatial characteristics and ecological wisdom of Amdo Tibetan traditional dwellings in western Sichuan

ABSTRACT Amdo Tibetans are an important part of the three major Tibetan areas in western Sichuan. Their production and life style rooted in the Ruoergai grassland pastoral area is significantly different from that of Kangba Tibetans and Jiarong Tibetans, which are widely distributed in the valley areas. However, due to the relatively small population size and distribution range, there is still a lack of research on the space of multi-Tibetan settlements in western Sichuan, which makes the unique spatial characteristics of grassland dwellings and their generation logic unclear. Based on a large number of literature studies and field investigations, this paper systematically analyzes its location pattern, spatial layout and material application from the perspective of ecological wisdom through spatial analysis, comparative analysis and other methods. The results show that there are obvious differences in spatial form between the Tibetan dwellings in Anduo grassland in western Sichuan and the Tibetan settlements in Kangba and Jiarong. The scattered siting model is used to cope with the impact of bad climate and the characteristics of widely dispersed production factors. The diversified, specialized and open yard space layout is adapted to the production mode of pastoral areas. Local materials such as manure are used to build settlement space according to local conditions. This study reveals the spatial characteristics and environmental adaptation wisdom of multi-Tibetan grassland dwellings in western Sichuan, complements and improves the Tibetan research system and content in western Sichuan, and provides theoretical guidance for the healthy and sustainable development of multi-Tibetan settlements in western Sichuan.

Human and Nature Interactions in Kesar Lall’s Folk Tales from Nepal: An Eco-Critical Reading

Folktales are traditional stories orally handed down to the succeeding generations. They portray the co-existence and collaborations of humans, non-human characters and environments. This study explores the relations and interactions of humans, non-humans and nature in Kesar Lall’s Folk Tales from Nepal: The Origins of Alcohol and other Stories from ecocritical perspective. It has used ecocriticism as a theoretical tool. It is a library and qualitative research. The main finding of this study portrays the association and interactions among humans, non-humans and nature. The attitude of humans exploits the biological and physical environment for the sake of humans. Humans have hostile relations with non­­-humans like ogre in the natural world. The folktales demonstrate metamorphosis nature of gods and nagas. They portray the death of human beings as the natural process. They have abundant evidences of environments, and they transfer the value of ecological wisdom more to the readers. This study increases the environmental literacy of youths and expands the Nepali folktales to English speaking communities.

The wisdom of ecofeminism in Arjasari as a link between Hadith and community practice

This research aims to discuss ecological wisdom in Arjasari as a link between hadith and community practice. This qualitative research used a case study. It used hadith science theory as the formal object, and the practice of ecofeminism the material object. Using observation, interviews, and documentation for data collection, this study analyzed the data through inventory, classification, and interpretation stages. The research involved two community organizations affiliated with the Sapa Institute: Bale Istri Community and Islamic Organization in Arjasari, Bandung, Indonesia, from July 2022 to December 2022. This research is unique because it explores thematic hadiths, which serve as a basic source for integrating Islamic teachings into the practice of ecofeminism. This study explores the matan of traditions related to ecology, using a thematic approach to understand their relevance to contemporary environmental challenges comprehensively. The research shows that ecofeminism practices of community organizations from the perspective of hadith were found in Arjasari Village, Bandung. The identified hadiths emphasize responsible land use, sustainable agriculture, and preservation of natural resources, contributing to developing an ecofeminist framework in Arjasari, harmonizing Islamic values with environmental ethics. This study's unique contribution lies in exploring thematic hadith, which integrates ecofeminist practices. The deliberate linkage of religious principles with ecofeminist discourse promotes the equivalence between environmental standards and Islamic values.

An Ecocritical Study of Gary Snyder’s Translation of Han Shan Poetry

Gary Snyder, a contemporary American ecological poet, is deeply influenced by East-West ecological wisdom, forming his own unique ecological philosophy. Gary Snyder’s ecological philosophy influences his selection of poems to translate and translation methods in his English translation of Han Shan poetry. In turn, Gary Snyder’s translation also promotes the formation of his ecological philosophy to a certain extent. Faced with the increasingly serious ecological crisis, this study attempts to examine Gary Snyder’s translation of Han Shan poetry from the ecocritical perspective, exploring its ecological connotations and values from three aspects: translation selection, translation methods, and translation impact. The ecocritical study in this article aims to insert an ecological dimension to the study on English translation of poetry, and give advice to the strategy “Chinese Culture Going Global”, especially “Chinese Ecological Culture Going Global”.

Religion, Ecology and Hindu Nationalism in India

Abstract In this paper I examine the construction of Hinduism as inherently “environmentally friendly” within religions and ecology discourses and how this construction has been appropriated by the Hindu nationalist movement in India to serve ends that are at odds with the pursuit of sustainable development. I begin by tracing the emergence of religions and ecology discourses and the assertion that Asian or Eastern religions are inherently environmentally friendly. This is followed by critiques of this neo-traditionalist approach for being anachronistic and essentialist, as well as for promoting a “myth of primitive ecological wisdom” that can have damaging effects on communities who live close to nature. This is because it reduces them to idealisations to serve other ends and has little impact on effecting policies that can improve their lives as well as addressing anthropogenic climate change. Next, I consider the construction of Hinduism as environmentally friendly within the context of the ascendency of Hindu nationalism. I examine the ways in which the claim to support sustainable development, alongside invoking neo-traditionalist religions and ecology discourse, is at odds with the actual policies pursued by Hindu nationalists, whose Bharatiya Janata Party has been in power since 2014. I will demonstrate that in its bid to spread a particular version of Hinduism across India alongside the growth of the market economy, some traditional livelihoods that are more sustainable than modern alternatives, such as nomadic pastoralism or Adivasi (tribal) economies, and the religio-cultural traditions that surround them, are being undermined and threatened with extinction.

The preservation of old forests in southwest China is closely linked to the presence of ethnic minorities

Sacred forests are increasingly disappearing due to increasing land pressure and a decline in cultural values. Protecting the remaining sacred forests plays a crucial role in preserving biodiversity. The existence of remaining old forests often related to local people and their culture, but this relationship has rarely been quantified at large regional scales. This study analyzes the relationship between old forest and ethnic minorities based on the location of the old forest at a high spatial resolution (2 m). We found a significantly positive correlation (p < 0.01) between the proportion of ethnic minority population and old forest patch number, area, aggregation, and maximum patch area. However, there was no correlation with the connectivity of the old forest (p = 0.14). We further show that both environmental and anthropogenic factors are important for the distribution of old forests. Hydrothermal conditions contribute to the growth of forests, and local ethnic customs and the corresponding ecological wisdom contributes to the preservation of old forest remnants (r = 0.12, p < 0.05). Our findings highlight the significance of social dimensions for the conservation of old forests. We encourage that forest management should consider the role of indigenous people and their cultural wisdom for a better conservation and restoration of degraded ecosystems.

The Value of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Stormwater Management: A Case Study of a Traditional Village

In recent years, floods have occurred frequently in urban and rural areas around the world, causing heavy casualties and property damage. In contrast, some traditional Chinese villages have never flooded. It is hypothesized that these villages, because of their long-term adaptations to their environment, hold necessary ecological knowledge regarding stormwater management so that damaging flooding can be avoided. Previous studies on the traditional ecological knowledge regarding stormwater management in traditional Chinese villages are mostly qualitative studies, and these fail in their evaluation of the functional performance of stormwater management facilities and measures. Therefore, we use the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) in our quantitative evaluation of stormwater management in Zhuge, a traditional Chinese village, so as to rationally analyze the traditional ecological knowledge regarding stormwater management in traditional Chinese villages. In order to analyze the functions and efficiency of stormwater management facilities such as ponds, canals, and permeable pavement in Zhuge Village, this study sets out four scenarios: the No Pond Scenario (NO-PO), the No Canal Scenario (NO-CO), the No Permeable Pavement Scenario (NO-PP), and the actual Current Scenario (CS). The SWMM is used to simulate and quantitatively analyze the stormwater hydrological processes of the four scenarios in different rainfall return periods. The following conclusions emerged from our evaluation of the approaches used in Zhuge Village: (1) The rainwater regulation system composed of ponds, canals, and permeable pavement can play a dual role in alleviating rainstorm disasters and fully storing rainwater, achieving the flexible allocation of rainwater resources. It can effectively alleviate the problem of uneven time and space of local rainfall in shallow, hilly areas, reflecting the traditional ecological wisdom of residents in adapting to the local natural environment. (2) As a rainwater regulation device, ponds are very effective in storing water and mitigating periods of intense runoff. (3) The main function of canals is to rapidly drain water and balance rainwater resources. (4) The main function of permeable pavement is to increase rainwater infiltration and reduce the peak runoff and runoff. (5) The use of the SWMM proved effective in both quantifying the results as well as elucidating stormwater management strategies.

Indigenous Festivals and Climate Sustainability in India: A Case Study of Cultural Practices and Performances

With the inadequacy of the Western frameworks in addressing climate change, there is a need to integrate indigenous knowledge systems into the global framework to harness climate sustainability. The historical marginalization of the indigenous people in India in the colonial era has continued through the present postcolonial era, leading to environmental exploitation and social dislocation of the Adivasis. This has resulted in a severance of the transmission of sustainable practices embedded in the tribal cultures into the global framework. Advocating for the integration of indigenous ecological wisdom into global strategies, this paper will highlight the significance of tribal festivals like ‘Sarhul,’ ‘Baha,’ and ‘Kunde Habba’ in reinforcing climate resilience. Indian tribal festivals have traditionally popularised sustainable practices and rituals to stay in harmony with nature, and the sacred sites located in the indigenous communities function as sites for rituals and festivals fostering ecological sustainability. This paper explores how tribal art forms like ‘Warli’ and ‘Gond’ art imbue communities with ecological consciousness and resilience, and through storytelling and artistic expressions, it raises awareness about climate issues and empowers communities to safeguard ecosystems vital for all life forms. This paper asserts that traditional performance cultures, manifested through rituals, dances, and art, serve as catalysts for sustainable practices, biodiversity conservation, and community resilience, and advocates for a recentring of the indigenous performances to resist Anthropocentric and Capitalocentric practices.

Indigenous Ecologies in Mahasweta Devi’s Chotti Munda and His Arrow

Designating the connection between literature and environment this paper highlights Mahasweta Devi’s Chotti Munda and His Arrow from the standpoint of postcolonial ecocriticism where it highlights how the survival of the tribal is ecologically related and how much they are concerned about their own ecology. As a mother of a sustainable society, Mahasweta Devi shows her anxiety for the tribals. She binds their history and their closeness and bonding with nature in such a way that it may explore their involvement in constructing a sustainable environment as she believes that an author must have a social responsibility. Postcolonial ecocriticism not only just echoes history rather it has also brought changes in the physical environment they belong to. Here Mahasweta Devi focuses on how on one hand, the exploitation of the tribals at the hands of the landowners brings ecological degradation physically, socially, and psychologically and on the other hand she explores how that degradation is alleviated through the tribals’ sense of responsibility and their ecological wisdom and the empowerment they achieve through the culture of archery.

Developing ecological piety in pesantren: the Kyai’s cognition and the practice of living fiqh al-bī’ah in Banten

This study investigates the formation of ecological devotion within pesantren, led by kyai in the application of fiqh al-bī’ah. It delineates the developmental stages into three components aligned with Berger and Luckmann’s social construction theory: externalisation, objectification, and internalisation. Using qualitative methods and field studies, data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with three religious leaders from two eco-pesantren in Banten Province. Externalization is exemplified by the kyai’s teachings on humanity as caliphs, advocating against harming the Earth, emphasizing cleanliness as integral to faith, and prioritising thahhārah in fiqh. Objectification is seen in the prohibition of deforestation and embedded environmental preservation duties within the schools’ hidden curriculum. Internalisation reflects practical implementation aligned with established objectives, observed through growing pro-environmental consciousness, attitudes, and behaviours among school members, evolving progressively. This construction of ecological devotion resulted in tangible contributions to groundwater conservation and flood risk mitigation by the two schools. The findings highlight Islamic boarding schools’ potential to elevate environmental standards via fiqh al-bī’ah-rooted ecological wisdom. Collaborative efforts involving stakeholders, such as financial support and training programmes, are vital to enhancing the environmental management capacity, particularly in establishing impactful water management systems within these institutions.