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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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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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BackgroundIntensities and frequencies are increasing, relentlessly increasing the vulnerabilities of at-risk communities

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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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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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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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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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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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Demystification of the Nganyi community IK

Data collection

Analysis and Interpretation

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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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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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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