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WORLD ANTHROPOLOGICAL UNION

CONGRESS 2024​

Paper

Leveraging Indigenous Knowledge for Climate Resilience and Sustainability in Africa: Exploring the Africa’s Rain-Making Technology

presenters

    Philip Onyekachukwu Egbule

    Nationality: Nigeria

    Residence: Delta State

    University of Delta, Agbor, Nigeria

    Presence:Face to Face/ On Site

Keywords:

Indigenous Knowledge, Climate Resilience, Rainmaking, Sustainability, Climate Science

Abstract:

This paper presents a call to action for Africans to explore their indigenous science systems as proactive strategies to address the climate crisis. Specifically, the focus is on rainmaking - an ancient practice involving concoctions and incantations to induce rainfall, deeply rooted in traditional religious worship across rural African communities. Rainmaking, a historical and cultural tradition among various African ethnic groups, offers potential as a strategy to manage meteorological conditions, particularly during planting seasons and droughts in Sub-Saharan Africa. Rainmakers, possessing knowledge passed down through generations, understand how to influence natural elements to bring rainfall or moderate its impact. This paper confronts the misconception that African traditional practices are fetishistic, arguing instead for the broadening and decolonization of climate science. It advocates for the integration of indigenous knowledge systems into climate change adaptation efforts, highlighting the need for collaboration between Western science, environmental education, and African traditional wisdom. Through this interdisciplinary approach, the study proposes avenues for African researchers to tap into the rich resources of indigenous science. It examines the potential benefits of merging Western scientific methods with traditional practices, emphasizing the role of indigenous knowledge in managing natural resources and adapting to climate change. The paper also discusses the socio-economic impacts of climate change on African communities, emphasizing the need for holistic approaches to resilience-building. It concludes with a sense of optimism, suggesting pathways for harnessing indigenous knowledge to enhance environmental protection, natural resource management, and climate adaptation in Africa. In conclusion, this paper serves as a call to action, urging a re-evaluation of Africa's rich traditional knowledge systems as invaluable assets in the face of climate uncertainty. Through the fusion of indigenous wisdom with modern scientific inquiry, Africa stands poised to forge innovative solutions for a resilient and sustainable future.