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1 www.idrc.ca/ccaa
Integrating Indigenous Knowledge in Climate Risk
Management in Western Kenya
Gilbert Ong'isa OumaProject Leader, IGAD Climate Prediction and
Applications Centre (ICPAC)
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2 www.idrc.ca/ccaa
Background• Over 70% of natural
disasters occurring in the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA) region are weather/climate related
• The most common are floods and droughts that often result in untold suffering of the communities
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3 www.idrc.ca/ccaa
BackgroundIntensities and frequencies are increasing, relentlessly increasing the vulnerabilities of at-risk communities
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4 www.idrc.ca/ccaa
Background
• There is need for an effective early warning system responsive to the needs of at-risk communities
• There are four components of early warning systems: risk knowledge, warning service, dissemination and capacity to respond
• This project mainly addresses warning and dissemination
• It is implemented by ICPAC and funded through CCAA program
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5 www.idrc.ca/ccaa
What is ICPAC
IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Center is a specialized institution of IGAD.Mission:
provide timely early warning information support specific sector applications to enable
the region cope with various risks associated with extreme climate variability and change
www.icpac.net
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6 www.idrc.ca/ccaa
About the CCAA program• Launched in 2006 by UK’s DFID and
Canada’s IDRC - Initial funding of CAD 65 million
• Largest single research and capacity building initiative focusing on adaptation in Africa
• Goal: To significantly improve African capacity to adapt to climate change in ways that benefit the most poorest and most vulnerable individuals
• Currently supporting some 25 research and capacity building projects across the continent
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7 www.idrc.ca/ccaa
Linking science and indigenous knowledge
• Modern science provides reasonably accurate seasonal climate forecasts
• But many local communities still rely on indigenous knowledge (IK) to guide their planting, harvesting and other agricultural activities, to minimize climate risk
• Communities are still vulnerable, despite availability of both IK and scientific forecasts
• To address this, the project is investigating the integration of the two domains of knowledge – the best from both worlds
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8 www.idrc.ca/ccaa
Linking science and indigenous knowledge
• Nganyi community was selected based on results of an earlier UNEP funded project “Indigenous Knowledge for Nature Conservation and Disaster Management in Kenya”
• Part of the Luhya community in western Kenya with a long history of “rain making”
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9 www.idrc.ca/ccaa
Demystification of the Nganyi community IK
Data collection
Analysis and Interpretation
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10 www.idrc.ca/ccaa
Developing a sustainable framework for
integrating IK and western climate risk • “... sent by the Nganyi (the famous rainmaker) to collect
chicken as a token to elicit Nganyi’s goodwill, in order to bring rain (it had been quite dry for some time by then).” (Prof. Wasao, 2008)
• Source of livelihood, shrouded in secrecy• Building trust between the collaborators• Protection of the Nganyi rights• Allow for sharing of knowledge and
information
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Develop and disseminate integrated seasonal climate forecasts
• After Climate Outlook Forum, Kenya Met downscales forecast
• Nganyi clans meet and agree on their forecast
• Project brings together both groups to discuss and agree on local forecast
• Integrated forecast disseminated by indigenous and modern methods
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12 www.idrc.ca/ccaa
Develop climate change scenarios
• Climate change will seriously affect the IK indicators - already happening– Disappearance of species
• Develop scenarios
Develop curriculum
• Integrate IK and western science disaster risk reduction for capacity enhancement at the community and other educational levels
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What has been done so far
• Data collection– Meteorological– Indigenous
• Analysis ongoing– Climate, botany, zoology, cosmology, astronomy– Gender
• Conversation around rights ongoing• One season integrated forecast done
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14 www.idrc.ca/ccaa
Expected Outcomes
• Increased use of climate information by the community members in planning their activities
• Mutual trust and free flow of information between IK and modern climate scientists
• A book documenting the history and practices of the Nganyi community
• Sustainable disaster risk management incorporating IK
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Challenges
• Building of trust – Acceptance of the modern science forecasts– Between IK and modern climate scientists
• Sourcing and authenticating information• Meteorological data within the project area• Integration of the forecasts
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Thank you for listening