Indigenous Resource Management Systems Research Articles

Indigenous resource management systems as models for librarianship: I waiwai ka ‘āina

This commentary suggests a (k)new model for the practice of Indigenous librarianship that positions a traditional natural resource management system as a metaphor for library practices. By detailing the experiences of Native Hawaiian librarians working with materials and collections representing Hawaiian knowledge, the article discusses specific Hawaiian natural resource management principles (kapu, kūlana, waiwai, and lele), and explores their possible applications in library contexts. The result is a description of Hawaiian librarianship grounded in Hawaiian values and practices with the goal of best serving Hawaiian communities.

Adaptation of Traditional Festivals to Natural Resources Conservation Education: Lessons from Osun-Osogbo and Argungun Fishing Festivals in Nigeria

Africa has been tagged a festival continent as year in year out, towns and villages witness cultural festivals throughout the year. These festivals are mostly concerned with resources conservation and utilization. The adoption of Western Model of conserving biodiversity in the trickle-down fashion has failed to yield reasonable result; whereas traditional festivals epitomize indigenous people’s respect and reverence for, and pragmatic understanding of, their natural environment. The quest of conserving biodiversity for sustainable development therefore calls for the integration of traditional festivals in sustainable resource management framework. In spite of the invaluable potentials of traditional festivals in biodiversity conservation as an indigenous resource management system, it has not been given a prominent place in the modern day scientific resource management framework. Using ethnographic research design, the paper exploits the natural resources conservation potentials of Osun-Osogbo and Argungun fishing festivals in Nigeria. Data are collected from archival, ethnographic and internet materials, as well as text books, pictures and information through interviews and observations. The paper presents an analysis of ways through which policy frameworks can benefit from festivals and how a wide audience can be reached with biodiversity conservation messages for the purpose of creating awareness. The paper develops a framework for ecosystem based adaptation, using indigenous festivals for the purpose of replicating it in every other community where such festivals do not exist and integrating it in festivals that are not based on natural resource conservation.

‘Āina Kaumaha: The Maintenance of Ancestral Principles for 21st Century Indigenous Resource Management

Globally, there is growing recongition of the essential role indigneous people have in biocultural conservation. However, there are few cases of applied indigenous resource management today, especially from the indigenous standpoint. In this paper, we provide an example of the maintenance and adaptation of an indigenous resource management system in Hawai‘i from the perspective of an instrumental ‘Ōiwi (Indigenous Hawaiian) social institution, Kamehameha Schools. Kamehameha Schools is not only the largest private landowner in Hawai‘i, but is uniquely tied to a lineage of traditional ali‘i (chiefs) resulting in present-day influence, decision-making authority, and wealth to fund a perpetual vision for its ancestral lands and communities. Notably, we share our journey from the perspective of indigenous resource managers, using the ‘Ōiwi methodology of mo‘okū‘auhau (genealogy and continuity) to guide our (re)discovery of what it means to steward in an indigenous way. First, we ground ourselves in ‘Ōiwi worldviews, recognizing our genealogical and reciprocal connections to ‘āina (land and sea). Then, we examine the functions of the traditional institution of the ali‘i and the chiefly principle of ‘āina kaumaha—a heavy obligation to steward the biocultural health of lands and seas in perpetuity. We detail how ‘āina kaumaha has manifested and transferred over generations, from traditional ali‘i to the royal Kamehameha line, to Kamehameha Schools as an ali‘i institution. Finally, we discuss how we endeavor to meet inherited obligations through Kamehameha Schools’ resource management approach today, which includes active stewardship of vast tracts of native ecosystems and Hawai‘i’s most important cultural sites, influencing biocultural well-being through representing ‘Ōiwi perspectives in diverse industries, and developing the next generation of ‘Ōiwi stewards. We provide a guide for indigenous organizations (re)defining their ancestral ways of stewardship, as well as for the many non-indigenous agencies with obligations to native lands and people today working to incorporate indigenous systems into their current management. Given that much of the world’s lands are indigenous spaces, we argue that the restoration of effective biocultural resource management systems worldwide requires the maintenance, and in some cases reestablishment, of indigenous institutions at multiple levels.

Socio-Economic Factors Affecting Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of the Vegetation Resources on the Islands of Lake Ziway, South-Central Ethiopia

The study was conducted on the islands of Lake Ziway, south-central Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to investigate the socio-economic factors affecting the vegetation resources and the indigenous resource management systems and practices on the islands. Data were collected by field observations, interviews and group discussion. The island communities were engaged in diverse economic activities. The fishing industry was the main pillar of the economy as most of the income (75.7%) was derived from this sector. The existence of diverse economic activities had relieved the pressure on the vegetation resources. The natural vegetation was the major source of fuelwood, construction material, farm implements, edible fruits, medicines, fodder and bee forage. The islanders have maintained the soil and vegetation resources for centuries through their environmental friendly resource management systems and practices. At present, however, the vegetation resources are dwindling due to free livestock grazing, farmland expansion, soil erosion and tree cutting for various purposes, all of which are driven by human population growth. Since the islanders have high respect and trust for the church, integrating environment and development issues with this institution would be more effective. The prevailing natural and anthropogenic factors affecting the vegetation resources on the islands necessitate effective conservation and management interventions.

Consequences of Human Land Use for an Afro-alpine Ecological Community in Ethiopia

The Guassa area of Menz in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia is an Afro-alpine ecological community with an indigenous resource management system. The local community harvest different resources including collecting grass and firewood from the Guassa area. Cattle and other livestock are also grazed in the Guassa area, especially during the dry season. Several sympatric species of endemic rodents dominate the small mammal ecological communities in the Guassa area, and form most of the diet of the endangered Ethiopian wolf. This study aimed to determine if current levels of resource use by the local community through the indigenous resource management system had any discernible effect on rodent community structure. We found that the structure of the rodent community differs between habitat types, and that different species of rodents show diurnal variations in their patterns of activity. We also found that populations of different species show variable responses to each type of resource use in different habitats; some species show increases in abundance in relation to use while others show decreases. Although the indigenous resource management system was not specifically designed to conserve wildlife, it has nevertheless allowed wildlife, specifically small mammals or rodent communities, to co-exist alongside the ongoing resource use by the local community. We conclude the Guassa area represents an interesting model of community-led resource management of an Afro-alpine habitat which supports populations of endemic and threatened species.

The interweave of people and place: biocultural diversity in migrant and indigenous livelihoods around Mount Cameroon

SUMMARY In order to further understanding of the links between biological and cultural diversity, this study examined the role of forest species and biodiversity in the livelihoods of indigenous Bakweri villagers and migrants to the Mount Cameroon region. Surveys of resources consumed and sold by 118 households were undertaken in five villages over the course of one year. The contributions of different habitats and management systems (compounds, farms, fallow, forest) and species (native and introduced; cultivated and wild-harvested) to local livelihoods were evaluated. The study showed that indigenous households depend to a much greater extent upon a range of habitats and species than migrant households, particularly for subsistence. Indigenous resource management systems grow from historical relationships between people and place, and promote resilience, well-being and adaptation in an area long characterized by environmental, social, political, and economic uncertainty. The managed landscapes of indigenous villages can contribute to broader conservation efforts in the region, including those associated with the newly established Mount Cameroon National Park.

Diversity, regeneration status and socio-economic importance of the vegetation in the islands of Lake Ziway, south-central Ethiopia

This study was conducted in the islands of Lake Ziway located in the main Ethiopian Rift Valley in south-central Ethiopia. Its main objective was to investigate the diversity, regeneration status, socio-economic importance and the factors that cause degradation of the plant resources in the islands. A total of 73 relevés, measuring 20×20 m, were established along line transects laid from the central part of each island to the lake edge in eight aspects. Herbaceous species were sampled by using a 2×2 m sub-relevé laid within each relevé. In each relevé, the cover/abundance of each species was estimated, woody species were counted, diameter at breast height and height of trees and shrubs and the environmental variables altitude, slope, aspect and position were measured. Participatory Rural Appraisal was employed to generate the socio-economic information. A total of 141 species belonging to 113 genera and 55 families were identified, of which 18.4% were trees, 21.3% trees/shrubs, 12.1% shrubs, 3.5% lianas, 4.3% herbaceous climbers and 40.4% herbs. The overall Shannon diversity and evenness of woody species in the islands were 2.60 and 0.62, respectively. The number of species on the islands correlated with island's size, habitat diversity and degree of human disturbance. The similarity in species composition between the islands was low, indicating that each island has its own unique flora. Nine plant communities were recognized and described. The total density and basal area of the vegetation were 2979 individuals ha −1 and 191 m 2 ha −1, respectively. The importance value index and the diameter and height class distribution revealed that some species are threatened and need the highest priority for conservation. The socio-economic survey showed that the island communities are highly dependent on the natural vegetation for various purposes. On the other hand, the islanders have maintained the soil and vegetation resources for centuries through their indigenous resource management systems and practices. Human population growth coupled with farmland expansion, soil erosion, free grazing and cutting trees for various purposes are the major threats to the vegetation resources in the islands. The implications of the results are discussed and recommendations are suggested for conservation, management and sustainable utilization of the fragile island ecosystems.

Community knowledge and sustainable natural resources management: learning from the Monpa of Arunachal Pradesh

Community knowledge and local institutions play a significant role in sustainable comanagement, use and conservation of natural resources. Looking to the importance of these resources, a project, funded by the National Innovation Foundation (NIF), Ahmedabad, India was implemented to document the community knowledge associated with agriculture and natural resources in few selected Monpa tribe dominating villages of West Kameng and Tawang Districts of Arunachal Pradesh, India. Dynamics of various indigenous practices, gender role, culture and informal rural social institutions, cultural edges significantly contribute in managing and using the natural resources sustainably. Experiential learning and location specific knowledge play a pivotal role in ecosystem sustainability. Study also indicates the synergistic relation existing between local knowledge and ecological edges, thereby helping in sustaining livelihood in high altitude. Indigenous resource management systems are not mere traditions but adaptive responses that have evolved over time.

Indigenous Common Property Resource Management in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia

A better understanding of common property resource management systems and institutions is important for conservation and development, as fortressbased approaches towards conservation are increasingly questioned. This paper examines how an indigenous resource management system has operated and supported the protection of an Afro-alpine area in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia. The community was mainly concerned to regulate their own use of natural resources, including collection of firewood and thatch, and grazing by livestock. The original common property resource management system operated under a previously undescribed indigenous institution known as the Qero system, which was enforced through sanctions and punishments imposed by the community. The Qero system was suspended following the Agrarian Reform in 1975, which resulted in the breakdown of the traditional land tenure and land rights systems within Ethiopia. In the Central Highlands, user rights and management responsibility shifted to include formerly marginalized groups. Nevertheless, the common property management system has shown sufficient resilience to withstand these changes and pressures, and is still functioning with defined user groups and byelaws to regulate resource use and manage the area. Nevertheless, attitudes to current and future management are polarized between former and present managers of the common property regime.

Of Lost Civilizations and Primitive Tribes, Amazonia: Reply to Meggers

Meggers's critique of views presented by DeBoer et al. (1996), Wüst and Barreto (1999), and Heckenberger et al. (1999) in Latin American Antiquity misrepresents these authors and others. Her criticisms, largely directed at the present authors, obfuscate fundamental points raised regarding the nature and variability of cultural formations and economic patterns in Amazonia. By conflating indigenous resource management systems, which we discuss, with mechanized development strategies of the modern world, she creates an unnecessarily polemical atmosphere for debate.

Indigenous resource management systems in the Bâdia of the Bilâd ash-Shâm

The Bâdiat ash-Shâm is discussed in terms of its inherent capacities by local users. These are predicated on the variations within the region, the climatic factors, its seasonal possibilities, and its long-term resilience. Herding is often seen as destructive, but herders see themselves as actively managing natural resources in a sustainable manner in the long-term. Varying market factors have had relevance to management. The historical depth of herding in the area is taken into consideration in the discussion.

Understanding an indigenous knowledge system for tree fodder via a multi-method on-farm research approach

Understanding the dynamics of indigenous resource management systems can benefit natural resource development efforts and contribute to effective on-farm agroforestry research initiatives. This paper reports on the authors' investigation of an indigenous knowledge systems for the management, cultivation, and use of private tree fodder resources in a community in the middle hills of Central Nepal. It focuses on the methods used to develop an understanding of the cognitive systems used by farmers in this community to classify and evaluate tree fodder. A participatory multi-method research approach was employed to overcome many of the limitations of traditional survey research. The approach centered on the use of the repertory grid method within the framework of personal construct theory. Repertory grid results were analyzed in conjunction with data collected from participant observation, a formal household survey, an inventory of privately grown trees, and ethnographic interviews. This integrated analysis resulted in an understanding of the indigenous knowledge system for the management of tree fodder resources.

Sámi Reindeer Pastoralism as an Indigenous Resource Management System in Northern Norway: A Contribution to the Common Property Debate

ABSTRACTPastoralism is defined here as a system in which humanity mediates the relation between land and animals. The paper argues that the conventional idea of pastoralism as a pure relation between animals and land obscures indigenous resource management systems such as that of the Sámi, with its seasonal variations in both labour and pasture. This management is exercised through flexible social groupings which mediate the relation between the size of the herd and the capacity of the pasture. The fact that there is no historical evidence of overgrazing in a general sense in Sámi areas must be seen in connection with this management system.

Role of Institutions and Organizations for the Sustainable Management of Forest and Pasture as Common Property Resources in Nepal: An Overview of the Indigenous and Traditional Practices

This is an overview paper based on the contemporary literature available in the regime of forest and pasture as common property resources. The analysis has underscored the role of local institutions and organizations for the sustainable management of forest and pasture as common property resources. The paper concludes that farmers of Nepal have developed and used the organizational and institutional mechanisms for the sustained management of these resources by ensuring social equity. Understanding the ingredients of indigenous resource management systems can have a bearing on developing appropriate national policies aiming at ensuring the sustainability of the future programs of Nepal.Key Words: Institution, organization, indigenous, traditional, common property, sustainable, social equity, participation, etc.DOI = 10.3126/dsaj.v2i0.1357Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology Vol.2 pp.31-64