Traditional Knowledge Systems Research Articles

Harmony and Sustainability: Traditional Ecological Knowledge Systems of the Kaluppini Indigenous People

The existence of knowledge of local indigenous local knowledge in natural resource management has experienced a shift. This research aims to reveal the forms of wise tought of the natural environment by the Kaluppini indigenous people, and to reveal how the Kaluppini community maintains the ecological knowledge systems. This research used ethnographic methods. It is a qualitative research procedure for describing, analyzing, and interpreting elements of a cultural group such as behavior patterns, beliefs, and language that develop over time. Data analysis techniques are processed. The collected data was analyzed by using Berkes' theory (1980). The research results show that the Kaluppini indigenous people maintain their traditional ecological knowledge from time time. First, traditional institutions which include the role of traditional stakeholders along with the legal system and rules for implementing traditional rituals, play a core role in maintaining harmony between society and the environment. Second, ethical land management in the form of traditional agricultural methods, pest and disease control, crop rotation systems, selection of plant varieties, and efficient irrigation systems support agricultural sustainability. Third, the existence of myths related to nature produces a respectful attitude towards the surrounding natural environment. Finally, the implementation of zoning reflects a wise policy to conserve natural resources while meeting community needs. It is important to recognize that most regions in Indonesia are currently facing serious challenges in the form of the climate crisis, including the phenomenon of long droughts that threaten agricultural activities and daily life. However, the Kaluppini community stands out as a unique example amidst this changing climate.

Knowledge-implementation processes in crop protection literature

ABSTRACT Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how new research on crop protection practices is communicated to end-users by investigating which knowledge-implementation processes are recommended in crop protection literature. Design/methodology/approach This analysis is completed through a qualitative systematic review of literature on knowledge-implementation in crop protection where six knowledge-implementation processes are identified from 65 articles: information and communication technologies (ICT), management models and approaches, education platforms and events, advisory and extension services, networks, and collaborative approaches. We place special emphasis on the gaps and trends around networks and collaborative processes, building on communication theory research. Findings While many articles discussed multiple knowledge-implementation processes, it was found that most of the processes discussed aligned with a transmission communication model and the traditional agricultural knowledge and innovation system. While 11 articles described networks and 22 articles described collaborative processes in line with a constitutive model of communication, these tended to provide limited advice on how these processes could be achieved in practice, identifying a need for further investigation of how multilateral communication can be used to better crop protection practice. Practical Implications These findings can help facilitate better communication between researchers and farmers, promoting processes that include farmers and other actors as sources of knowledge and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of crop protection practices. Theoretical implications This study enhances the understanding of knowledge-implementation in agriculture, emphasizing the need to draw on multiple forms of communication to address the knowledge-to-action gap. Originality/Value There is limited research that examines the knowledge-to-action gap in agriculture, particularly in relation to crop-protection practices. As a review study, this manuscript provides an overview of how this topic is described in the field.

Cultural Perspectives on Climate Change Adaptation in Agriculture an Ethnoecological Study

In an era where climate change is becoming increasingly apparent, adaptation in the agricultural sector is becoming more crucial. This research adopts a literature study approach to explore the cultural perspective on climate change adaptation in agriculture through the lens of ethnoecology. Through searching and analyzing relevant literature, the main findings indicate that local culture plays a significant role in shaping farmers' adaptation practices. These practices include the utilization of traditional knowledge, cultural values, and local knowledge systems to respond to the challenges of climate change. It is found that local wisdom is not merely an additional resource but an integral aspect in strengthening the resilience of farming communities. However, challenges such as limited access to resources and economic uncertainty remain barriers to adaptation efforts. Therefore, the integration of local knowledge into policy planning and the development of local capacity are relevant recommendations to enhance climate change adaptation in agriculture. This research provides insights into the complexity of the relationship between culture and climate change adaptation in agriculture, highlighting the importance of strengthening the involvement of local communities in mitigation and adaptation efforts.

Kearifan Lokal “Mambongoti Bagas” dalam Suku Batak Toba di Pematang Siantar

This research delves into the uniqueness of the local wisdom "Mambongoti Bagas" in the Toba Batak tribe in Pematang Siantar. The main focus of the research is to examine the essence, purpose, and implications of the practice of "Mambongoti Bagas" in the context of Toba Batak community life. This research aims is to explore the meaning and values contained in the practice of Mambongoti Bagas, as well as to understand its influence on traditional knowledge systems, patterns of community behavior, cultural heritage, and its important role in preserving and conserving the cultural identity of the Toba Batak tribe. The results of this research reveal that Mambongoti Bagas is a sacred place with deep symbolism. This sacred place symbolizes community unity, spirit of mutual cooperation, respect for ancestors, and awareness of environmental sustainability. In addition, Mambongoti Bagas also functions as a center for traditional learning where values such as respect, cooperation, and social care are instilled in the community. During the research, the transmission of this local wisdom from generation to generation was revealed through stories, oral teachings, and participation in traditional ceremonies. In conclusion, this research confirms the importance of preserving and conserving Mambongoti Bagas as a valuable asset in maintaining the sustainability of the cultural identity and local wisdom of the Toba Batak community.

In Vitro Analysis of Antimalarial Activity of Achillea fragrantissima (Forssk.) Sch.Bip Extracts Based on Beta-Hematin Formation

Introduction: The use of medicinal plants from traditional knowledge systems has increased in recent years. Achillea fragrantissima-infused water has a historical use in relieving gastrointestinal complaints and treating skin inflammations. With the rising resistance to antimalarial drugs, finding safe and affordable new drugs is crucial. Exploring medicinal plants shows promise for drug development in the fight against malaria. Methods: The objective of this research is to examine the in vitro antimalarial activity of A. fragrantissima-infused water, as well as water-ethanol extracts of its leaves, flowers, and stems based on β-hematin formation. Colorimetric semiquantitative assessments based on β-hematin inhibition and evaluation of optical density at 405 nm were employed. Results: The results demonstrated promising antimalarial activity of the different plant parts. The aqueous flower extract exhibited strong activity, comparable to that of the positive control. The leaves extract also showed strong antimalarial activity. The stem's aqueous and ethanolic extracts exhibited lower inhibitory activity compared to flowers and leaves. Synergistic antimalarial activity was observed when mixing the stem and leaves water extracts, as well as when mixing each of the stem and leaves extracts with the flower extract. The highest synergistic effect was observed when all three parts of the plant were mixed, resulting in activity comparable to the positive control. The high-performance liquid chromatography photodiode array (HPLC-PDA) chromatographic method confirmed the presence of rutin in the leaves extract. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the potential antimalarial activity of A. fragrantissima. The aqueous flower extract and leaves extract exhibited strong antimalarial activity, while the stem extracts showed relatively lower activity. Furthermore, synergistic effects were observed when combining different parts of the plant. These results suggest that A. fragrantissima holds promise as a potential source for the development of new antimalarial drugs. The confirmation of rutin presence in the leaves extract through HPLC-PDA analysis provides additional insights into the plant's chemical composition.

Cultivating Wellbeing: Traditional Wisdom and Sustainability in Fiji’s Green Schools

This method abstract details the Green School Program, piloted across three schools in maritime Fijian islands, addresses critical issues faced by Fijian and Pacific Island communities. These encompass malnutrition, food security, health hazards, and the urgency of integrating traditional knowledge, governance, and social-ecological systems approaches into creating healthier school environments. Non communicable diseases have emerged as a pervasive concern within Pacific Island communities, creating a challenge for public health systems, driven greatly by dietary habits(1). This complex health landscape underscores the need to safeguard traditional knowledge and agri-food practices and develop neo-traditional approaches to local food systems(2). Furthermore, the Green School Program recognizes the essential role of schools as community hubs, enabling enhancing heathy school environments by embracing traditional wisdom and sustainable farming practices and foods, ultimately empowering communities to address these multifaceted challenges(3). Developing the school environment as a sustainable setting for governance framework led by women and the school administration, rooted in traditional knowledge and practices. Additionally, it aims to design facilities that support efficient organic farming while integrating these into school activities. Economic sustainability through the sale of surplus farm products, as well as the enhancement of sustainable land-use management, health, wellbeing, and cultural identity. The program unfolds within a distinctive community-based framework with the establishment of robust governance, with a notable emphasis on the leadership of women and mothers who play a pivotal role in steering the green school initiative and ensuring community ownership. Collaborative governance spans multiple stakeholders, including school management, community-based school committees, youth groups, women groups, and traditional leaders. This inclusive engagement ensures both shared responsibility in program design and ownership during implementation phases. Sustainable facilities are strategically designed to include biodigesters, water storage and irrigation systems, composting, organic fertilizers, and seedling nurseries, enhancing the program’s capacity to create healthier school food environments while embracing traditional practices and values. The program has witnessed the active engagement of women in governance roles, promoting community unity and ownership. Traditional knowledge integration has enhanced crop diversity and sustainability. Economic sustainability has been achieved through surplus farm product sales, reducing dependency on external funding sources. Health improvements are evident, with reduced exposure to indoor air pollution from open fires. Cultural identity preservation and increased student engagement are also notable outcomes. The Green School Program’s holistic approach, rooted in traditional knowledge and sustainable practices, has yielded positive outcomes in governance, agriculture, nutritional food security, health, and cultural identity preservation. The program’s success demonstrates the potential for community-based initiatives to address critical issues and empower remote island communities. These results provide valuable insights into sustainable development approaches that prioritize community wellbeing and cultural heritage preservation in similar contexts.

Meeting the Challenges of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through Holistic Systems Thinking and Applied Geospatial Ethics

The halfway point for the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was marked in 2023, as set forth in the 2030 Agenda. Geospatial technologies have proven indispensable in assessing and tracking fundamental components of each of the 17 SDGs, including climatological and ecological trends, and changes and humanitarian crises and socio-economic impacts. However, gaps remain in the capacity for geospatial and related digital technologies, like AI, to provide a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of the complex and multi-factorial challenges delineated in the SDGs. Lack of progress toward these goals, and the immense implementation challenges that remain, call for inclusive and holistic approaches, coupled with transformative uses of digital technologies. This paper reviews transdisciplinary, holistic, and participatory approaches to address gaps in ethics and diversity in geospatial and related technologies and to meet the pressing need for bottom-up, community-driven initiatives. Small-scale, community-based initiatives are known to have a systemic and aggregate effect toward macro-economic and global environmental goals. Cybernetic systems thinking approaches are the conceptual framework investigated in this study, as these approaches suggest that a decentralized, polycentric system—for example, each community acting as one node in a larger, global system—has the resilience and capacity to create and sustain positive change, even if it is counter to top-down decisions and mechanisms. Thus, this paper will discuss how holistic systems thinking—societal, political, environmental, and economic choices considered in an interrelated context—may be central to building true resilience to climate change and creating sustainable development pathways. Traditional and Indigenous knowledge (IK) systems around the world hold holistic awareness of human-ecological interactions—practicable, reciprocal relationships developed over time as a cultural approach. This cultural holistic approach is also known as Systemic Literacy, which considers how systems function beyond “mechanical” aspects and include political, philosophical, psychological, emotional, relational, anthropological, and ecological dimensions. When Indigenous-led, these dimensions can be unified into participatory, community-centered conservation practices that support long-term human and environmental well-being. There is a growing recognition of the criticality of Indigenous leadership in sustainability practices, as well as that partnerships with Indigenous peoples and weaving knowledge systems, as a missing link to approaching global ecological crises. This review investigates the inequality in technological systems—the “digital divide” that further inhibits participation by communities and groups that retain knowledge of “place” and may offer the most transformative solutions. Following the review and synthesis, this study presents cybernetics as a bridge of understanding to Indigenous systems thinking. As non-Indigenous scholars, we hope that this study serves to foster informed, productive, and respectful dialogues so that the strength of diverse knowledges might offer whole-systems approaches to decision making that tackle wicked problems. Lastly, we discuss use cases of community-based processes and co-developed geospatial technologies, along with ethical considerations, as avenues toward enhancing equity and making advances in democratizing and decolonizing technology.

A Study from the Mitigation of the Depression to Upsurging of Well-being and Happiness with Reference to Vedic Psychology

Today the Psychology has become a profound way of self-improvement along with wide ranging benefits of enhancing wellbeing and happiness. It is evident that relationship of mind to matter has scientific experimental methodology. In order to understand the relationship or methodology we are referring here Vedic sciences or Vedic Psychology. For the cure and healing of mental health issues such as stress, anxiety and depression with the help of prodigious tools and techniques. Traditional Indian knowledge systems has enormous storehouse of scientific knowledge, such as vedas, Puranas, Yoga Sutras and spiritual Psychology. Vedic Psychology is an ancient knowledge of theoretical and practical transformation which transforms human awareness to higher states of consciousness. Vedic Psychology is a ‘consciousness’ based approach which has unique methods and techniques to mitigate depression and upsurging of well being and happiness. It shows us the path of evolution where gradual process of practicing glides the human towards integrity and peace. Several studies shows where Vedic Psychology exercises and demonstrated therapeutic effectiveness with the help of meditations to control anxiety and depression. Vedic knowledge plays vital role for a holistic development of human awareness. References from the vedas where The non – changing and ever changing aspect of vedas together form the totality of life called ‘Brahman’. This is the symbol of totality of cosmos. Which means each individual being is an expression of ultimate unity and is composed of all levels of nature. This paper takes a leap from the psychological to the metaphysical, epistemological and ethical plane to explain the validity and concepts of Vedic Psychology. The several techniques for monitoring internal consciousness leads to the concepts of identity and existence. Where Vedic Hymns or Mantras used to establish the power of truth seen and heard in the consciousness. It explains how the supreme creative hymns inherits the rhythmic vibration of energy in the light of the creative consciousness of the supreme. The concept of Brahman and Aatman in the Upanishads leads to the absolute truth. Upanishads which are called the ‘ends of the Vedas’ has given the most strongest and spiritual philosophy in the form of Vedanta. Which teaches the person to know the authenticity of oneself. Vedas guides us to live according to the natural cosmic law (Rta) and Upanishads guides to overcome the negative thoughts and powers. The individual core spirit is termed as Aatman which is different from the physical state of oneself. In the writings of vedas it has mentioned that Aatman transforms itself into the Cosmic soul or self. In the process of awakening of the self where experience and reason are common tools characterised by the separation of objects observed and the observer. Vedic Psychology emphasis on the deeper systematic first person approach. In mainstream modern science consciousness is defined as the ability to be aware of a separate object of experience. Vedic Psychology is indeed helpful for the whole community of humans to rise from the mental disorders such as grief, pain, stress, anxiety and depression to reach out of it towards serenity of well being, happiness and peace.

Abstract 1005: A three-decade-long community-based participatory research among India and Bhutan’s ethnic minorities led to the discovery of 32 unique medicinal plants having anti-cancer properties

Abstract The country of Bhutan, and India’s Northeast is an economically deprived region inhabited by diverse groups of indigenous and underserved communities. They live in mostly rural areas, where cancer disparity is very high. On the other hand, they have rich traditional knowledge systems including tantra philosophies (remnant of the Vedic age philosophy), herbal medicinal practice, and spiritual practices that can be traced back to India’s Vedic age. To harness this traditional knowledge to reduce cancer disparity, we have taken an indigenous knowledge system (IKS) based approach (1) and initiated a community-based participatory research (CBPR) program in 1998 to conduct public health research in tuberculosis and cancer (2,3). Using this CBPR program, we have unraveled a Vedic age philosophy of Vedic Jiva Upkara Cikitsha Tantra (Vedic altruism-based medicinal system) (2,3). Specially, using the CBPR program we seek to identify novel herbal medicinal agents having anti-cancer activities. Methodologies: We used the CBPR methodologies of focused group discussion (FGD), debate, and community social work with various indigenous communities living in the Sualkuchi-Hajo cultural complex of Assam, Roing of Arunachal Pradesh, and Mongar of Bhutan. Since 1994, BD has conducted CBPR through the KaviKrishna Telemedicine Care. We have retrospectively analyzed the data of FGD, and suppositional reasoning (tarka) with the community healers, various Hindu, and Buddhist ethnic spiritual organizations of the region. Thematic analysis and the grounded theory method were applied to organize the data. The resulting database of herbal medicinal plants was searched in the scientific database to find the scientific names. Out of the 36 medicinal plants, we have prepared herbal extracts of 10 medicinal plants and then tested for their anti-cancer efficacy at the KaviKrishna Laboratory. Results: We have found the names of 32 plants used by the indigenous healers practicing the Vedic Jiva Upakara Cikitsha Tantra. We also found that these healers used curd-made whey protein concentrate, special soil, and fecal extracts to treat cancer (3). Our CBPR process also led to the research capacity building in the Sualkuchi-Hajo community. Conclusion: The study unraveled a unique cancer-care-related philosophy of Vedic Altruism. Our work indicates that IKS-based CBPR can equitably involve researchers and community members to develop a partnership for the process of knowledge emergence. We found that CBPR-based research takes new meaning because of the unique perspectives that inform the ways that research studies take shape for knowledge emergence.

Evaluation and Monitoring System for Exercise Rehabilitation Based on Combined Chinese and Western Medicine Technology

INTRODUCTION: Developing exercise rehabilitation assessment and monitoring systems is essential in rehabilitation medicine. Introduces a sports rehabilitation assessment and monitoring system based on combining Chinese and Western medicine technology, aiming to integrate traditional Chinese and Western medicine theory and modern Western medicine technology to provide more comprehensive and personalized rehabilitation services. Through the systematic integration of technologies, the author is committed to building an efficient and precise rehabilitation system to provide patients with more scientific and practical rehabilitation programs. OBJECTIVE: The research system employs various sensor technologies, including motion capture devices, biosensors, and pulse recognition technology, by combining Chinese and Western medicine. The motion capture device enables real-time monitoring of the patient's movement trajectory, joint mobility, and other physiological indicators; the biosensor collects the patient's physiological data, such as heart rate and blood pressure. Meanwhile, Chinese and Western medicine pulse recognition technology was introduced to obtain pulse information specific to Chinese and Western medicine to provide more comprehensive data support for rehabilitation assessment. Integrating these technologies, a multi-level and multi-dimensional rehabilitation assessment system was established. METHODS: This study aims to improve the accuracy and personalization of the rehabilitation assessment and to tailor a rehabilitation plan more in line with the patient's actual situation. Through the combination of Chinese and Western medicine techniques, it aims to break the single perspective of traditional rehabilitation assessment and make the rehabilitation plan closer to the physiological characteristics and pathological state of the patients as well as the needs of the combination of Chinese and Western medicine in the identification and treatment. RESULTS: The system has achieved remarkable results in practical application. The accurate monitoring of the motion capture device provides a more comprehensive understanding of the patient's motor status and accurately analyzes the rehabilitation progress. At the same time, the data collection of biosensors provides doctors with more detailed physiological information, enabling them to formulate rehabilitation plans more comprehensively. The introduction of combined Chinese and Western medicine pulse recognition technology adds a unique auxiliary diagnostic tool of collaborative Chinese and Western medicine to the rehabilitation assessment and improves the personalized level of the rehabilitation plan. CONCLUSION: The sports rehabilitation assessment and monitoring system combining Chinese and Western medicine technology brings new ideas and methods for developing rehabilitation medicine. By fully utilizing the advantages of modern technology and traditional medical knowledge, a comprehensive and in-depth rehabilitation assessment system was constructed to provide patients with more scientific and caring rehabilitation services. Future research will optimize the system's performance and promote the broad application of integrated Chinese and Western medicine technology in rehabilitation.

Raising the Issue of Local Wisdom in Science Learning and Its Impact on Increasing Students' Scientific Literacy

In the context of global educational challenges, scientific literacy remains a foundational goal yet is often hindered by traditional teaching methods that lack cultural and contextual relevance. This study addresses the intersection of local wisdom with science education as a strategy to enhance students' scientific literacy, grounded in the belief that culturally resonant teaching can improve learning outcomes. This study explores the impact of integrating local wisdom into science education on enhancing students' scientific literacy. Employing an experimental pretest-posttest control group design, the research involved 86 Indonesian high school students, divided evenly between a control group receiving traditional science instruction and an experimental group whose curriculum was enriched with local wisdom content. Over a six-week period focused on climate change, the experimental group's instruction intertwined indigenous knowledge with scientific concepts, aiming to create a culturally contextualized learning experience. The results, derived from quantitative measures were analyzed using ANOVA and post hoc tests. Findings indicate a statistically significant improvement in the scientific literacy of the experimental group compared to the control group, with the former demonstrating a substantial increase in posttest scores. The study confirms that local wisdom can be a potent tool in science education, leading to higher engagement and improved scientific literacy. This research contributes to the field by providing empirical evidence supporting culturally responsive teaching approaches and underscores the potential of local wisdom in bridging the gap between traditional knowledge systems and scientific methodologies.

Haitian women in New York City use global food plants for women’s health

BackgroundDespite the availability of mainstream biomedical healthcare in New York City (NYC), community-based ethnomedicine practices remain a low-cost, culturally relevant treatment for many immigrants. Previous urban ethnobotany research in NYC has established that several Caribbean communities continue using medicinal plants for women’s health after immigration. This study sought to address to what extent: (1) NYC Haitian women continue using medicinal plants for women’s health after migration; (2) their plants and the conditions treated were similar to those identified in an earlier survey with NYC immigrants from the Dominican Republic.MethodsThrough an ethnobotanical survey, 100 Haitian women living in NYC and born in Haiti were interviewed about their knowledge of medicinal plants for women’s health conditions. Reported species were purchased based on local names in NYC Haitian stores and markets, vouchered, and identified.ResultsNearly all Haitian women (97%) reported using medicinal plants while living in Haiti. Most Haitian women continued using medicinal plants after coming to the USA (83%). The 14% decrease, although significant (z = 3.3; p = 0.001), was mainly due to logistical difficulties with sourcing plants after recent immigration. Popular medicinal plant species reported were primarily global food plants, re-emphasizing the intertwined food-medicine relationship in Caribbean diasporas. Comparison with data from NYC Dominicans identified childbirth and puerperium, gynecological infections, and vaginal cleansing as priority Haitian women’s health concerns treated with plants.ConclusionOur findings support the global nature of Caribbean migrant plant pharmacopeia, predominantly centered around food plants and adapted to transnational urban settings. They underscore cultural diversity, dispelling the notion of one uniform traditional knowledge system labeled “Caribbean.” The importance of preventative medicine for women’s health, particularly the regular consumption of “healthy” foods or teas highlights the role food plants play in maintaining health without seeking treatment for a particular condition. Cross-cultural comparisons with other NYC Caribbean immigrants emphasize the importance of conducting ethnobotanical surveys to ground-truth plant use in the community. Such surveys can also identify culture-specific health priorities treated with these plants. Healthcare providers can leverage these insights to formulate culturally relevant and community-tailored healthcare strategies aligned with Haitian women’s health beliefs and needs.

Sustainable Parental Resources of Organic Urban Teaching (SPROUT): An Innovation to Upgrade 4Ps Parents’ Livelihood Sustainability

Parental involvement in education has long been recognized as a crucial factor in determining a child’s academic success and overall well-being (Hill et al., 2004). In many developing countries, such as the Philippines, government programs like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) have been implemented to provide conditional cash transfers to low-income families, with the aim of improving their livelihood sustainability (Adhikari et al., 2017). However, sustainability also entails long-term empowerment and the development of skills for parents to become self-reliant. This action research study introduces the Sustainable Parental Resources of Organic Urban Teaching (SPROUT) innovation as a means to upgrade the livelihood sustainability of 4Ps parents. SPROUT, founded on the principles of sustainable development and organic urban teaching, aims to provide 4Ps parents with the necessary resources and knowledge to enhance their self-reliance and livelihood opportunities. By incorporating sustainable agriculture practices and urban gardening techniques, SPROUT offers parents the chance to grow their own organic produce, both for personal consumption and potential income generation (FAO, 2013). This approach not only enhances the nutritional status of families but also promotes environmental stewardship and encourages a shift towards healthier and sustainable lifestyle choices. The empowerment of parents through sustainable practices has yielded positive outcomes in various contexts. A study conducted by Hirai and Fujii (2019) found that engagement in sustainable livelihood activities led to increased self-confidence and a sense of agency among participants. Additionally, Oyelaran-Oyeyinka and Sanni (2020) demonstrated that sustainable livelihood initiatives can contribute to poverty reduction and improved standard of living in rural communities. By adapting and applying these concepts to the urban setting and specifically targeting 4Ps parents, the SPROUT innovation has the potential to significantly uplift the livelihood sustainability of this vulnerable population. Furthermore, the incorporation of organic urban teaching methodologies aligns with the growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly practices within the global educational landscape (ITO, 2014). This approach not only equips parents with important agricultural skills but also fosters a sense of pride and cultural heritage. By tapping into traditional and indigenous knowledge systems, SPROUT emphasizes the importance of intergenerational knowledge transfer and community engagement, offering a holistic approach to sustainable parental resources. The SPROUT innovation holds immense promise as a means to upgrade the livelihood sustainability of 4Ps parents. By combining sustainable agriculture practices and organic urban teaching methodologies, SPROUT seeks to empower parents, enhance their self-reliance, and contribute to poverty reduction. This action research study will explore the implementation, impact, and potential challenges of the SPROUT intervention, aiming to provide valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and communities seeking innovative approaches to uplift the lives of vulnerable populations.

An overview of some pharmacologically relevant therapeutic plants from Kerala's sacred groves

In Kerala's native culture, sacred groves are referred to as "Kavu" and have long been used as archives for traditional knowledge and biodiversity. Many medicinal plants with strong pharmacological properties can be found in these distinctive habitats, and they have historically provided local populations with medicine. Studying the pharmacological significance of plants from Kerala's sacred groves will help us to gain a better understanding of the value of nature-based therapies in a time when both natural resources and traditional knowledge systems are more crucial than ever. This comprehensive review article seeks to study wide variety of medicinal plants present in Kerala's sacred groves, including Murdannia pauciflora, Osbeckia muralis and Indoneesiella echioides, offering light on their historical use and pharmacological qualities that have been proven.

Starter Culture Development and Innovation for Novel Fermented Foods.

Interest in fermented foods is increasing because fermented foods are promising solutions for more secure food systems with an increased proportion of minimally processed plant foods and a smaller environmental footprint. These developments also pertain to novel fermented food for which no traditional template exists, raising the question of how to develop starter cultures for such fermentations. This review establishes a framework that integrates traditional and scientific knowledge systems for the selection of suitable cultures. Safety considerations, the use of organisms in traditional food fermentations, and the link of phylogeny to metabolic properties provide criteria for culture selection. Such approaches can also select for microbial strains that have health benefits. A science-based approach to the development of novel fermented foods can substantially advance their value through more secure food systems, food products that provide health-promoting microbes, and the provision of foods that improve human health. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Food Science and Technology, Volume 15 is April 2024. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Dietary Principles to Attain Holistic Health in Present Era

Holistic health is a way of living. In India, this time-honored practice is at least 5000 years old. According to the holistic perspective on health, it is possible to understand a person as a whole and take into account all of their physical, emotional, social, mental, and spiritual qualities in order to achieve overall outstanding health and well-being. While a holistic health journey often involves a lot more around the food, it's hard to deny how what we consume impacts both our body and mind. Food is the most important factor for both preventing and treating disease as well as for sustaining good health. It has the best chance of reversing the global health crisis, making it the best option for boosting public health. This paper briefly reviews the parallels in Ayurveda and dietetic principles that draws attention to the need for a deeper engagement with traditional knowledge systems, to attain holistic health.

Traditional Knowledge Systems: Cross-Culturally Exploring The Medical Anthropology of Diet Wellness

Traditional Knowledge Systems (TKS) in Indigenous communities worldwide shape lifestyle and eating habits, with a focus on the thermostatic properties of food and balance in the body. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda are examples of TKS that emphasize individualized diets based on factors such as age, season, and constitution. In Indigenous communities, cultural beliefs about food during pregnancy influence dietary choices. Villagers in South India consider pregnancy a "hot" condition and restrict the consumption of "hot" foods to prevent excessive heat in the body. Additionally, climate change impacts food security in Indigenous communities, affecting the nutritional status of pregnant women. In Uganda, the Batwa community experienced a loss of traditional food sources due to eviction from their lands, exacerbating food insecurity during pregnancy. Climate change also affects food accessibility and the gender disparities in agriculture contribute to food insecurity. Furthermore, gender differences play a role in the relationship between interpersonal stress and shape and weight concerns, with girls showing stronger correlations in these areas. In this review, we uncover the intricacies associated with creating a diet and emphasize the wide range of cultural influences that shape these choices on an individual and communal scale.

"They say to me 'You want to be a high shot and be like a tourist' so I stopped wearing shoes at home even though I know it is to protect my feet". The perceptions of patients on foot complications.

Diabetic Foot Ulceration (DFU) is one of the serious complications for people with diabetes and it is also the most devastating but yet preventable complication. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients on their foot complications and foot care practices in Fiji. A qualitative study design was used to recruit T2DM patients attending Diabetic clinic in Rotuma Hospital, Fiji from July to September, 2021. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 27 patients until data saturation is happened. Semi-structured one-on-one in-depth interviews that were audio-recorded were used to collect data which was then transcribed and manually analyzed using thematic analysis method. This study found four main themes namely Knowledge and its determinants, Perceptions on personal practice and health care practice, Health seeking behaviors and Factors affecting footwear practices. T2DM patients had varying levels of knowledge about DFU and these levels of knowledge were attributed to lack of advice from healthcare providers, personal beliefs, culture and societal norms and lack of resources. Patients continued to practice self-care practices that they perceived to protect their feet from trauma and such practices have been passed down through a traditional knowledge system including stigma and beliefs. Culture and personal habits greatly impacted the practice of wearing footwear. Societal norms and traditions greatly impact how T2DM patients take care of their feet and their health in general. Understanding personal beliefs and traditional influences surrounding the patients' environment is paramount in order to effectively implement public health prevention strategies against DFU.

Embracing African Traditional Knowledge Health Systems in a HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 Pandemic Era

This article engages the perpetual denigration of African Traditional Knowledge System (ATKS) by African governments in favor of western biomedical approaches during the COVID-19 pandemic. We demonstrate that the COVID-19 pandemic has once again put the spotlight on the alternative approaches to health and the need for a holistic and broader understanding of these practices in Africa. Using a literature review on health sectors across Africa and cases of traditional health medicines and use in selected countries, we show the Afro-cosmo vision and understanding of health, and we make a case for a non-western health approach that is holistic, endogenous, and community-centered. We argue that health approaches need to be anchored on proper understanding of African societies, whose approach to health encompasses the spiritual, emotional, and physical aspect of one’s existence. Our work lends support for the importance of having a multidimensional holistic health system and approach for universal health coverage (UHC) toward the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Africa which encompasses ATKS in dealing with pandemics.

Exploring Nnedi Okorafor's decolonial turn in the Binti Trilogy

Nnedi Okorafor is one of the best-known speculative fiction writers who has centred African perspectives and delinked from Western models. In her trilogy, Binti (2015), Binti Home (2017) and Binti the Night Masquerade (2017a), Okorafor disrupts the dominant white-masculine supremacist convention and traditions for a more diverse and inclusive narrative. In this article, I use decolonial thinking and the lens of Sankofa, a decolonial and African knowledge philosophy and worldview, to explore how Okorafor uses settings, characterisation, and ancient African traditional knowledge to achieve a decolonial turn in speculative fiction. By centring Sankofa, Okorafor sets her fantastic stories in Namibia among the indigenous and marginalised Himba people. She creates strong female characters who embody a multiplicity of beings operating intricately in a complex earthly, spatial and spirit world, and she exploits ancient African traditional culture and knowledge systems to create her 'organic fantasy' and a world of speculative fiction that transforms Western understandings of the genre.