Using Indigenous Knowledge To Predict Rainfall

Many communities have no knowledge of current climate science about natural disasters. Instead, they rely on indigenous knowledge inherited from their ancestors to reduce risks and survive the effects of these hazards. At the same time, many climate scientists and disaster risk managers consider IK as outdated and at odds with modern-day science. Merging these information sources may improve climate risk management.

Researchers from the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), Kenya, are working with the Nganyi clan in Bunyore, western Kenya (known for its powers in predicting rain), to integrate IK into scientific climate forecasts for the local region. These forecasts are then used to enhance the resilience of communities vulnerable to climate change.

Potential of peer learning in drought risk management

Drought is one of the most significant natural disasters in Africa, in terms of its spatial extent, duration, and the long-term socio-economic and environmental impacts. For example, drought causes severe shortfalls in agricultural production, contributing to long-term food and nutritional insecurity in many parts of Africa.
Numerous DRM initiatives exist in Africa, yet there are limited opportunities to share successful experiences, disseminate lessons and up-scale innovative practices. In 2005, the United Nations Development Programme and the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction created the African Drought Risk and Development Network (ADDN). Their aims were to provide a platform to exchange information (such as innovative approaches, best practices and lessons learnt), to reduce the duplication of preventative actions, and increase cost efficiency. The ADDN now supports governmental and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) engaged in DRM across Africa.

Community-based strategies for reducing flood risk in Tanzania

Msimbazi Valley in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, floods yearly. But despite this frequent flooding, many people still live in makeshift settlements in the valley. This decision exposes them to life-threatening floods and flood-related health hazards such as diseases including cholera and dysentery.
Adaptive strategies
Msimbazi residents have a wide range of community-based strategies to reduce flood risk. These include temporarily relocating to the public institutions present in the neighbourhoods such as schools, communicating flood warning information to others, for example the level of water upstream, cleaning canals to release flood water into the Msimbazi River, constructing houses with strong foundations to withstand floods, and building landfills along house walls to raise the level of walls and windows. Tree planting is also done to prevent soil erosion.

Potential of peer learning in drought risk management

Drought is one of the most significant natural disasters in Africa, in terms of its spatial extent, duration, and the long-term socio-economic and environmental impacts. For example, drought causes severe shortfalls in agricultural production, contributing to long-term food and nutritional insecurity in many parts of Africa.
Numerous DRM initiatives exist in Africa, yet there are limited opportunities to share successful experiences, disseminate lessons and up-scale innovative practices. In 2005, the United Nations Development Programme and the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction created the African Drought Risk and Development Network (ADDN). Their aims were to provide a platform to exchange information (such as innovative approaches, best practices and lessons learnt), to reduce the duplication of preventative actions, and increase cost efficiency. The ADDN now supports governmental and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) engaged in DRM across Africa.

Using Indigenous Knowledge To Predict Rainfall

Many communities have no knowledge of current climate science about natural disasters. Instead, they rely on indigenous knowledge inherited from their ancestors to reduce risks and survive the effects of these hazards. At the same time, many climate scientists and disaster risk managers consider IK as outdated and at odds with modern-day science. Merging these information sources may improve climate risk management.

Researchers from the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), Kenya, are working with the Nganyi clan in Bunyore, western Kenya (known for its powers in predicting rain), to integrate IK into scientific climate forecasts for the local region. These forecasts are then used to enhance the resilience of communities vulnerable to climate change.

Joto Afrika Feedback

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Target Audience

The briefings are intended for everyone in Africa who needs to know about adaptation at regional and local levels: communities, civil society organisations, government officials, researchers, decision makers and planning departments.

The series will also enable these groups to communicate with each other and share experiences – each article will have contact details for the author, and each briefing will include letters and feedback on past issues.