Local Knowledge Research Articles

Power, Performance, and the Limits of Contemporary Animism as a (De)colonial Perspective for Indian Caste Society

“Contemporary animism” or what is often termed as “new animism” has emerged as one of the most powerful perspectives to understand and decolonize the indigenous cultural practices and knowledge systems in recent years. Brahmanical Hinduism (or neo-Brahmanism) is considered as a cultural-religious practice that still carries undercurrents of animism in India.2 Animist beliefs have remained strongly embedded in Brahminical religious and cultural practices, such as belief in the existence of soul, persona and so on. This article argues that the ethos of neo-Brahmanism is not only antithetical to the perspectivism of contemporary animism, it rather offers a model that can be termed as ‘inverted animism’ or the cultural practices that tend to colonize the radical potentials of animism. Such Hinduism as hegemonic cultural practices disrobe the environment from its personhood, even fetishizes the person, and turns them into objects. It is an ‘animism’ that goes against its own spirit by colonizing the personality of the object, materials and other entities.

Transformação sustentável

The objective of the research was to apply composting techniques and social technology to treat food waste in a low -income condominium in southern Brazil, with the joint participation of university researchers and residents. The purpose was not only to reduce the environmental impact caused by waste, but also generate organic compounds of environmental and agronomic value. The project started with an observational visit to the condominium to identify appropriate spaces for the execution of the work. Then the researchers promoted the project through posters and direct conversations with the residents. After this interaction, training workshops were held for participating residents, totaling 40 families and 122 people. The workshops addressed topics such as the impacts of food waste, segregation at source, the composting process and social technology. Educational materials were distributed to assist in the learning process, and visual resources, such as workshops and educational videos, were used. Finally, the composting process was implemented. Social technology played a significant role throughout the process. During workshops and interactions with residents, participants became active learning agents, sharing traditional knowledge and integrating them with scientific knowledge. Educational materials have represented an important tool for social technology, providing information in an accessible and motivational way. The active participation of researchers and residents was also a positive aspect of this investigation, as it strengthened the condominium community, created social bonds and promoted awareness of environmental responsibility.

IMPLIKASI KARAKTERISTIK BUDAYA MASYARAKAT DALAM PENGELOLAAN HUTAN LINDUNG GUNUNG SIRIMAU KOTA AMBON PROVINSI MALUKU

This study examines the cultural characteristics of communities living around the Sirimau Protected Forest and their impact on sustainable forest management. The surrounding indigenous communities hold a deeply rooted cultural system that includes language, knowledge systems, social organization, technology, livelihoods, and religious beliefs, all of which influence their approach to natural resource management. One of the core elements is local ecological knowledge—an understanding of the forest’s ecosystem, flora, fauna, and geography that has been passed down through generations. Key social structures, such as the roles of local leaders (raja), community councils (saniri), and forest guardians (kewang), play a significant role in ecological stewardship through customary regulations, including the sasi tradition, which restricts forest use during specific periods to prevent overexploitation. The research emphasizes the importance of involving indigenous communities in forest management decision-making processes, which not only supports ecosystem sustainability but also preserves the cultural identity and values of these communities. Findings from this study advocate for community-based forest management approaches that integrate social, economic, and cultural aspects to achieve optimal environmental sustainability.

Writing across a cultural interface: a guide for non-Indigenous writers

ABSTRACT In recent years non-Indigenous writers have grappled with inclusion and representation of Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander peoples in creative works. Historically, and at times in contemporary fiction, writers have misrepresented, marginalised, or omitted Indigenous people as characters. Writers who craft regional and rural settings perhaps bear a greater onus than their metropolitan peers to characterise Indigenous people due to an expectation of a greater extent of unbroken Indigenous connections to ‘Country’ beyond the dense infrastructure of cityscapes. With the rise of First Nations authorship and authority, non-Indigenous writers are often advised to either avoid writing Indigenous characters or to get to know traditional owners and refine their writing skills to achieve authenticity. In this article, I offer my experience as a non-Indigenous writer crafting a farm novel that situates Aboriginal characters at the centre of the farm and the narrative. My writing process required constant awareness of a cultural interface and an approach that I hoped would recognise yet not impinge on Indigenous knowledge, beliefs, and authorship. My experience led to the development of a set of guidelines that may be useful to other writers crafting Australian settings.

Para pensar América Latina, de lo general a lo localizado

The main objective of this essay has been to formulate a provocation that introduces the relevance and the need to question the way of thinking from Latin America, especially in the face of the urgency of developing localized ways of responding to or questioning the fundamental questions that affect the very existence of the region. The academic essay methodology has been followed for its development and structuring of the text and discussion of results. In this way, three parts are proposed that organize the reflection of the text, namely: 1. Why think from a Latin American philosophy? 2. Thinking from moments of crisis. 3. Why think from a Latin American philosophy? Among the conclusions and results, among other aspects, the need to think from the concern for the particular situation and the occupation to reflect from a regional vision, questioning the evident absences in traditional systems of thought, while thinking in a reflective way is a political act because it manages to imagine and propose changes in social relations. The reluctance to accept subalternity and domination as an ethical and methodological imperative is proposed, while at the same time undertaking South-South dialogues with other former colonies, peripheries and indigenous knowledge. Finally, it is urged to avoid falling into common criticisms in the style of a “critical common sense”, or convenient criticism of the “normal” state of things.

Can indigenous peasants of Central Kalimantan live viably while conserving their forest lands?

Purpose This study aims to investigate the feasibility of a community-based non-timber forest products (NTFP) enterprise, or CBNE, within the indigenous peasant communities in Manuhing Raya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. This includes assessing the potential for generating featured agricultural products from the region. Design/methodology/approach This is a descriptive qualitative study that integrates ethnographic methods into the SLA analysis, to investigate the feasibility of a CBNE approach within an indigenous peasant community. A number of 13 peasant groups, which comprise 251 members, from the seven villages in Manuhing Raya participated in the study. Findings The CBNE approach, when combined with One Village One Product method, is considered appropriate for the determination of featured agricultural products in a local community. In addition, the SLA analysis in this study contributes to identifying vulnerable aspects of CBNE development in the local communities, including weaknesses in social cohesion, leadership and entrepreneurial orientation. Research limitations/implications Efforts to preserve the rainforest lands in Central Kalimantan cannot be excluded from the involvement of the local peasant communities. The best livelihood strategy in this case is to adopt a CBNE approach. This shall be made possible by empowering the peasant communities to revive their local wisdom of Upun Pambelum, which means forest lands are their primary resources for life. Practical implications This study highlights the importance of using ethnographic investigation prior to the implementation of a CBNE development. Originality/value The implementation of the CBNE approach should take into account socioeconomic aspects of the local community, especially the presence of social cohesion, leadership roles and entrepreneurial orientations. In addition, the study demonstrates the potential of integrating traditional ecological knowledge with modern business models in CBNEs.

From hard coal mining to a learning space for digitally supported participatory management of biodiversity

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the conversion of the former coal mining site in Kamp-Lintfort into a public park and learning space for biodiversity. In 2020, an urban green space was established, featuring various aquatic and terrestrial habitats and a high level of biological diversity in the city centre with broad community support. Design/methodology/approach This study presents secondary data of a literature review on participatory management of biodiversity in urban green spaces, with a focus on the sustainability context, participation approaches, theoretical frameworks and the role of education. The example of Zechenpark Kamp-Lintfort (Germany) shows how urban green space development can meet the challenging demands of inner city development while fostering knowledge generation via citizen science and participatory biodiversity management. The study collected primary data on plant biodiversity using a citizen science approach to raise awareness and create opportunities for human–nature interaction. Findings Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 is the most important development goal in the context of participatory biodiversity management of urban green spaces. Most of the studies have a place-based focus and integration of local knowledge is the main reason for a participatory approach. The findings show how a green learning space can offer opportunities for digital learning as well as participatory biodiversity management in urban areas. The project lead to an increase in local citizens’ awareness of biodiversity. Based on a literature review, this report identifies challenges and opportunities for establishing a green learning space for biodiversity education. The example illustrates that an urban green space can provide numerous possibilities for citizens and students to get involved and that it can foster the sustainable development of a new urban neighbourhood. Research limitations/implications A place-based approach limits generalisability. To overcome this limitation, a literature review was conducted, and the location was compared to two parks with similar site conversion history. Practical implications The example of developing an urban green space can inspire universities to take an active role in biodiversity management in urban green spaces, integrating biodiversity into university activities and creating a positive impact in the urban environment. Social implications Analysis of studies in the field shows that education deserves a more prominent role in theoretical frameworks. Originality/value The study represents an example of transition and citizen-led participatory management of biodiversity from a medium-sized city, transformation processes covering these aspects are underrepresented in literature.

Local ecological knowledge reveals an undocumented population of Reeves’ butterfly lizard (Leiolepis reevesii) in Zhuhai, China

Though widespread and categorized as least concern by the IUCN Red List, Reeves’s butterfly lizard (Leiolepis reevesii) is considered critically endangered in China. Up-to-date data are warranted to inform future assessments and conservation measures. Through local ecological knowledge surveys and corroborated by field surveys, we discovered an undocumented L. reevesii population on Qi’ao Island of Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, China. This discovery is the first record of the species in the Pearl River Delta since the early 2010s and represents the only remaining population from the vicinity of its type locality. It was reported to be very rare on the island now and has been extirpated from most of its previous range due to overharvesting, habitat loss and degradation. Our findings also raised concerns about the erosion of local ecological knowledge among local communities. Urgent conservation action and education campaigns are required to prevent further declines and raise awareness of this important and threatened population.

The Role of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Environmental Stewardship: Beyond Poverty and Necessity

The persistence of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) among indigenous and local communities is often associated with socio-economic constraints, poverty, and lack of choices. Such a perspective argues against underpinning profound environmental consciousness and sustainable practices that underlie TEK. The paper challenges reductionism—viewing TEK solely as a creation of necessity—and tries to argue that it entails a sophisticated understanding of ecological balance and conservation ethics. Through various examples, the paper exemplifies how TEK contributes to environmental sustainability for biodiversity conservation, management and use of natural resources, and the enhancement of resilience to climatic change—the same elements crucial for culture, tradition, and community living.

Involving People in Conservation: Perceptions from Maine, USA

Abstract Environmental conservation groups involve people in diverse ways. These include participatory spaces where people can participate in decision-making and action and engagement processes, where groups communicate, educate, and conduct outreach to build environmental understanding and involve audiences in conservation activities. We explored the perceptions and experiences of conservation practitioners in Maine, USA, to understand their views of participation and engagement. We interviewed 21 practitioners and analysed the qualitative data using an interpretative phenomenological approach grounded in interviewees’ words and experiences. All interviewees recognised the interconnections between people, places, and the non-human world; however, individuals and the groups they work within thought about the role of people in conservation in diverse ways. Views of public stakeholders and rights holders, individual values, Indigenous knowledge, commitments to place and community, and personal experiences all influence who is involved, how people are involved, why people are involved, and what comes of people’s involvement. We conclude by discussing the implications for equitable conservation that seeks to incorporate diverse voices.

Decay without mourning: future-thinking heritage practices

ABSTRACT This paper seeks to further heritage theory and practice by considering decay as a transformative process contributing to heritage formation and value. Informed by our expertise in a variety of fields bordering heritage studies, we highlight the interplay of generative and degenerative aspects in different modes of decay and suggest that partnering with decay epistemologically, artistically, academically, practically, and democratically would allow heritage to be understood not as a rearguard action against loss but rather as a creative and generative process. To explore these ideas, we draw on several cases in geographical locations with unique socio-political and socio-environmental conditions, namely South Africa, Japan, Brazil, and Antarctica. We investigate different domains including archives and museums, heritage practices, landscapes, indigenous knowledge, environmental history, and nature conservation. We argue that decay is tightly linked to the concept of authenticity and acts as a code that holds a key to both past, present and future values of heritage, depending on the positionality and institutionalisation of the interpreter.

The role of the insider translator in conservation and development: comparing multilingual (auto)ethnobotanical books from Tanzania, Thailand, and Taiwan

Abstract This article compares recent multilingual (auto)ethnobotanical books from Tanzania, Thailand, and Taiwan in terms of the role that the “insider translator” might play in linguistic, cultural, or environmental conservation or development. The books were motivated by similar concerns, but differed in the backgrounds of the authors, including translators and compilers. How did the backgrounds of the authors – as cultural outsiders or insiders – condition the form and content of the (auto)ethnobotanical books? What approach to authorship might be most effective for achieving the intended aims of the (auto)ethnobotanists? Based on textual analysis, interviews, and fieldwork, the main findings are as follows. The interlingual translation in the Tanzanian and Thai cases was unidirectional out of the local language, because the compilers, who were outsiders, were more concerned about the conservation of endangered languages, cultures, and environments. There was no division of labor between compiler and translator in the Taiwanese case, and the translation was bidirectional, because the authors were committed to the development of their language. It stands to reason that an autoethnobotanical effort, one made by cultural insiders, to conserve traditional plant knowledge or develop an ancestral language would be more effective than an ethnobotanical one; but the long-term effectiveness of any of the multilingual (auto)ethnobotanical books needs further comparative research.

COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and indigenous knowledges informing the future of social work

COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and indigenous knowledges informing the future of social work

Creative Research Methods and Civilian Agency in Civil Wars: Crafting the Past Through Memory Workshops in Colombia

ABSTRACT This article explores the potentialities of memory workshops for studying civilian agency in violent settings. Drawing from field research with campesino communities in Colombia, it provides a description of the workshops’ implementation process, including creative tools such as memory web creation, collective drawing of timelines and exploration of emotional biographies. Through these activities, campesinos reflected on the embodied and discursive relations within their communities, evoking experiences and practices of wartime. The article highlights the limitations of conventional research methods and proposes memory workshops as a methodological alternative that foregrounds the co-production of data, facilitating the emergence of localised knowledge and self-authorship.

Rainwater harvesting technologies in arid plains of Argentina: small local strategies vs. large centralized projects

Access to water has been and remains one of humanity’s greatest challenges. Especially in arid plains exposed to significant climatic fluctuations and future global change trends. In the past and present, local communities of the arid plains of central-western Argentina (i.e., Guanacache Lagoons, Cuyo region) have developed multiple strategies to manage water supply problems. The aims of this study are: i) to characterize the different water harvesting technologies (pre-Hispanic and modern) used, and ii) to compare the small local strategies of water harvesting (bottom-up solutions) with the large centralized projects (top-down solutions). On the one hand, we show the transformations of these technologies over time, and the challenges faced by inhabitants in the context of climate change trends. On the other hand, we analyze the role of the state through hydraulic policies and projects implemented by the provincial states over the last two centuries and how this impacted the study area. This review is based on a historical and archaeological bibliography, and recent publications about the region, including articles based on our ethnographic fieldwork. Our results demonstrate the valuable experience accumulated by local populations in water harvesting methods, particularly in areas where groundwater is deep and saline, and shows the adaptability of these technologies in contexts of increasing scarcity. We considered that local indigenous knowledge can largely contribute to the sustainable management of water resources. This study might be useful for decision-makers and water managers in drylands around the world to find and equitable approach that combines technical advances with local knowledge.

Finding the Nexus between Gender-Based Violence and Conservation

This review paper explores the complex and multifaceted relationship between gender-based violence (GBV) and conservation efforts, emphasizing the interconnected challenges faced by rural communities. It analyzes how GBV undermines conservation outcomes by limiting women’s participation, eroding traditional ecological knowledge, exacerbating resource exploitation, and weakening community resilience. Drawing on case studies from Northern Ghana, India, and Tanzania, the paper highlights how environmental issues such as resource scarcity, displacement, and conservation-related conflicts increase the vulnerability of women to GBV. The review also discusses strategies for addressing these challenges, including empowering women, integrating gender considerations into conservation policies, and creating safe environments for participation. Finally, it calls for more research into the links between GBV and conservation, urging the development of targeted interventions that address the root causes of both GBV and environmental degradation. By integrating gender-sensitive approaches, conservation initiatives can achieve more equitable and sustainable outcomes for all community members. Keywords: Gender Equality, Women's Empowerment, Social Cohesion, Ecological Knowledge, Sustainable Resource Management

Bridging Knowledge and Data Gaps in Odonata Rarity: A South Korean Case Study Using Multispecies Occupancy Models and the Rabinowitz Framework

Accurate assessment of species rarity and conservation status requires an approach that integrates data-driven models with established ecological knowledge. In this study, we applied multispecies occupancy (MSO) and latent factor multispecies occupancy (LFMSO) models to estimate the occurrence of 133 Odonata species in South Korea. Using the model outputs, we implemented the Rabinowitz rarity framework to conduct data-based rarity assessments, which were then compared with known ecological information, including geographic ranges, habitat preferences, regional Red List statuses, and citizen science observations. Our findings reveal both alignments and discrepancies between these data-driven rarity assessments and traditional ecological knowledge. For example, species classified as near threatened (NT) or vulnerable (VU) on the regional Red List generally corresponded with high-rarity classifications based on the Rabinowitz framework. However, significant inconsistencies were identified, particularly for certain lentic Odonata species traditionally considered common. These results suggest that spatial biases in field surveys, combined with limited access to data on legally protected species, can impede accurate rarity assessments. These findings underscore the need for standardized survey protocols and improved data-sharing policies for sensitive species to reduce biases and enhance the reliability of rarity assessments. This is essential for effective conservation planning and biodiversity management in freshwater ecosystems.

Conceptualising nursing theory and practice within a local cultural and professional context: a methodological example to inform theory development

Background: Nursing theories are crucial toward orienting the development of knowledge and practice. However, there is a persistent debate in the literature regarding the gap between theory and practice. Theories and conceptual models developed in Anglo-Saxon countries are often proposed within diverse educational and clinical contexts in other countries, generating challenges in their application in practice. Aim: This study aimed to develop and propose a methodology to promote the advancement of nursing theorising, considering local cultural and professional contexts. Methods: This analysis was conducted within Italy, which served as a local cultural and professional context exemplar for this investigation. A Scoping Review was used to map local nursing knowledge related to nursing practice. Fawcett’s metaparadigm was used as a general orienting frame for the literature analysis. Results: In light of the analysis conducted, the four disciplinary concepts related to the local (Italian) cultural and professional context were described (person, environment, health, nursing). Conclusion: This investigation aimed to present an example of how an inductive reflective approach can be used as a way to map nursing practice and define disciplinary concepts that can guide conceptual/theory development. The knowledge that was generated can orient initiatives to promote local nursing theory development.

Isolated Mediterranean foraging: wild greens in the matrifocal community of Olympos, Karpathos Island, Greece.

Studies on the in-depth documentation of wild greens use in the Mediterranean Diet (MD) are vital to understanding patterns of cross-geographical change in wild food ingredients in the Mediterranean context, their appreciated taste, and possible evolution. Our present study aims to document the leafy, wild-sourced plant portion of the MD in the unique and isolated matrifocal community of Olympos, North Karpathos Isle, Greece. An ethnobotanical field study focussing on traditionally wild-sourced edible greens (chórta) was conducted during the spring of 2023 via 42 semi-structured interviews with local people. Our study documented 69 wild green taxa, along with their culinary uses and linguistic labels. Half of the gathered wild greens have a bitter taste (i.e. members of Asteraceae and Brassicaceae), while 70% of the top-quoted greens are bitter. These greens were mostly consumed cooked. Nearly half of the quoted taxa had been previously recorded as used in the food system of central Crete. In contrast, one-fourth of the folk phytonyms recorded in Olympos do not match the ones found in Crete and the rest of Greece, which may be linked to the Doric culture that the community remained attached to because of its isolation. However, the plant-human interaction kernel is similar to that of surrounding areas. Moreover, the community of Olympos seems to rely less on aromatic wild greens (compared with Crete). Cross-cultural foraging comparison is crucial for better understanding the circulation, exchange, and evolution of local plant knowledge under the MD umbrella. Our study assesses, in particular, how noteworthy phytolinguistic differences indicating different ancient trajectories of cultural encounters/exchanges may not necessarily be reflected in differences in terms of plant reports. As often postulated in linguistic ethnobiology, ancient linguistic labels sometimes remain as "empty shells". Given the fragile environment and the increasing over-tourism during the summer months the study site is experiencing, the presented data could contribute to a more substantial shift towards sustainable eco-tourism initiatives involving the foraging and cooking of wild greens.

Weaving potentialities and AI:

Ngaa tuku o Maahina is a roopuu [group] whose kaupapa [purpose] relates to the multiple interconnected strands of knowledge of ngaa maramataka [site specific lunar calendars]. We are Hagen Tautari, Horomona Horo, Te Taima Barrett, Hollie Tawhiao, Toni Herangi, Ra Keelan and Joe Citizen. At our inaugural hui [gathering], Toni brought along a taonga [prized treasure] which had been in her family for generations – dated 1898, this photolithographed collection in te reo Māori [the Māori language] and English, has copies of He Whakaputanga (Declaration of independence), Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi) and other associated papers. To some, this is might appear to simply be copies of older original documents. In te ao Māori [the Māori world], however, this collection has its own mauri [life-essence], mana [spiritual authority and prestige] and haa [breath] and retains links to the tuupuna [ancestors] through their tohu [signs]. Our koorero [discussion] became centred on its preservation – simply photographing it and uploading copies of it online would make it vulnerable to AI that employ web-scraping and web-crawling practices, to thieve knowledge and assimilate it into a supposedly universalist framework. This koorero brought to our attention the wider take [subject] of how we should navigate the colonial tendencies of AI – the structural violence that arises from those culturally specific practices that assume a priori truths as universally foundational. By appraising the Eurocentric and human-centric assumptions behind data recognition through the automation of iterative logic loops, we acknowledge the entanglements of historically systemic problems: how cognitivism and positivism underpin supremacist claims of liberatory technological progress; how material realism and representational indexicality have traditionally dismissed and abused indigenous knowledge frameworks; how military-industrial control culture has normalised surveillance and transnational capitalism; and how reductionist methodologies reify libertarian claims of individual freedoms as commodified transactions between atomistic entities.