Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 11 (2), April 2012, pp. 217-224 Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Climate Change Adaptation: A case study of the Teso Sub-Region, Eastern Uganda Anthony Egeru School of Forestry, Environment and Geographical Sciences, Department of Environmental Management, Makerere University, PO Box 7062 Kampala, Uganda Emails: [email protected]/[email protected] Received 20.10.2011, revised 21.12.2011 This study examined the role of indigenous knowledge in climate change adaptation in Uganda with specific focus on the Teso sub-region. Specifically, the study identified indigenous knowledge practices used in climate change adaptation, documented indigenous knowledge in climate observation, and identified constraints to indigenous knowledge use for climate change adaptation. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires, individual interviews, focused group discussions and observation of local traditional rites. Local observations confirmed altered climate patterns noticeable from the changes in the planting, weeding and harvesting periods in agriculture, in tree growth, and in wind directions. Farmers still observe the intensity of East-West blowing winds, colour of the clouds in the East, and plant traits for rainfall prediction. In addition, they also rely on the meteorological information disseminated through the local radio stations. Low mastery of indigenous knowledge practices by younger community members and persistently changing weather patterns have challenged community reliance on indigenous knowledge for climate change adaptation. There is need to strengthen dissemination of indigenous knowledge and to integrate modern approaches that strengthen indigenous knowledge in climate change adaptation and resilience. Keywords: Adaptation, Climate change, Indigenous knowledge, Teso Uganda IPC Int. Cl.8: E04H 9/16, A62B, G08, A47G 19/26, A47J 39/02 Like any other indigenous populations of the world belief systems and in the formation of their moral who have lived in balance and/or quasi harmony with values. nature, the Iteso people of the Teso Sub-region of Phenological knowledge held in the indigenous Eastern Uganda have been unequivocally good communities has a high value2,3,4. Many traditional custodians of their environment. Over long periods of societies have built up knowledge over long periods time, these people, who are agro-pastoralists in a about environmental change and have developed drylands area, have acquired detailed knowledge elaborate strategies to recognize and cope with these about the functioning of their immediate environment, changes. Worldwide, however, applications of including observations and insights on a wide array of traditional knowledge systems in mitigation and issues. Indigenous knowledge is that knowledge adaptation to climate change have long been accumulated over generations of living in a particular neglected in developing and implementing climate environment1 has been vital in responding to change policy and have only recently become part of environmental challenges including floods, droughts, the climate change discourse. Traditional and disease and pest infestations, and their attendant indigenous peoples have valuable lessons to offer effects. Droughts in particularly are not a new about successful and unsuccessful adaptations to phenomenon to Iteso, and over time they have change, lessons which could be vital in the context of developed particular indigenous knowledge to cope global climate change5. In the Sahel, for example, the with water shortages. The transfer of this knowledge local populations, through their indigenous and associated practices has been embedded in the knowledge systems, have developed and implemented culture through various rites of passage such as birth, extensive mitigation and adaptation strategies that initiation into adulthood, marriage, death, twin have enabled them reduce their vulnerability to past dancing and social gatherings that include beer climate variability and change6. This study provides parties. Such knowledge thus existed within their another case example of a people’s adaptation to 218 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 11, NO. 2, APRIL 2012 climate change and evaluates the relevance and parishes, semi-structured interviews and informal effectiveness of their knowledge and practices. observations were also conducted. Data was coded and analysed in the Statistical Package for Social Scientists Methodology (SPSS), and descriptive statistics were generated. The Teso sub-region of Uganda consists of eight districts: Ngora, Kumi, Bukedea, Serere, Soroti, Findings Kaberamaido, Amuria and Katakwi. The area experiences a humid and hot climate, receiving Respondent’s socio-economic and demographic characteristics Fifty eight per cent (58%) of the respondents were bimodal rainfall with an annual average between 1000 male while 42% were female. Of these, ninety-five per to 1350 mm, much of which is received between cent (95%) married, with 66% having attained primary March to May. There are decreasing to light showers level of education. Eighty-nine per cent (89%) engaged between June and August and heavier rains again in crop production at a subsistence scale level. Of those between Septembers to November. The dry season involved in crop production, 61% of owned at least one begins in December and lasts in February. The climate type of livestock (i.e. a goat, pig, cow, and/or of the sub-region is modified by the large swamp chickens). There were diversified sources of livelihood wetland area that surrounds it. Minimum and with 20% obtaining income from non-farm activities maximum temperatures are about 18ºC and 31.3ºC such as teaching, local government and district service respectively. However, extremes usually occur in jobs and petty trade, 5.5% receiving remittances, 13% February, when the temperature can exceed 35°C. The engaged in charcoal burning (Table 1) and 9% highest ever recorded temperature was 40°C, in 7 involved in fishing. Close to 84% of the households February 1949 . Teso slopes from east to west. Thus, it owned land on a customary basis with user rights while receives discharges from the Karamoja highlands and 7% were renting land for production. About 84% of the Sebei uplands, this occasionally creates flooding. The respondents confirmed to that they had heard about sub-region is known for ox-traction with an economy global climate change. based on subsistence agriculture and livestock rearing. Farmers grow a diversity of crops, especially legumes Indigenous knowledge in climate observations and cereals. Typical crops include millet (a staple), Local observations have confirmed the existence of sorghum, beans, rice, maize, cassava and cotton now climate change (ejulujuleta nu ikwamin) in the area, grown by few farmers. Livestock reared include pigs, with a general consensus that a number of weather goats, sheep, cattle and poultry, such as chicken and Table 1Respondents’ socio-economic and demographic turkeys. Fishing is also conducted in the freshwater characteristics (N = 52) lakes – Lake Kyoga (a major lake in the area), and its satellite lakes: Opeta and Bisina, Kiondo, Namasajeri, Variable name Percent Naragaga, Pachoto, Kadiko, Kowidi and Kojweri – as Number of female respondents 42 well as in the permanent and seasonal wetlands Number of male respondents 58 including Omunyal, Apujan, Opteacharo, Marital status Akwangakera, Kirig, Acomia and Awoja, and the Married 95 Widowed 4 massive Lake Bisina and Lake Opeta wetlands. Single 1 The study was conducted in five parishes across four Education level spatially representative districts of the Teso sub-region: Primary 66 Kalengo parish (Ngora district), Osuguro parish (Serere Secondary 16 district), Katine and Gweri parishes (Soroti district), Never 9 and Opot parish (Amuria district). Under the local Other 9 government administrative structure, a parish is the Livelihood sources lowest development structure in the district, each Crop production 89 having its own development committee. Households Livestock 61 Remittance 5.5 were randomly selected; in total 52 households were Off-farm activities 20 included in the study. These included: 10 households in Formal employment 4 Ngora, 12 in Osuguro, 13 in Opot, 8 in Gweri and 9 in Fishing 9 Katine. Data was collected by way of focus group Charcoal burning 13 discussions (3 in total) in Osuguro, Kalengo and Katine Provision of casual labour 13 EGERU: CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATIONS IN EASTERN UGANDA 219 patterns have changed over time. These changes have Bucorvus abyssinicus). In the event that one had had attendant effects on people’s activity patterns. In killed an Abyssinian hornbill, the offender would be Ngora district, respondents noted that winds that bring ‘buried’ in the wetland’s mud in a ritual ceremony. rainfall used to blow from East to West but this has The offender would then be required to slaughter two totally changed. There is no specific direction from male goats that would be roasted to appease the which rainfall bearing winds blow now; instead there ancestors; the accused would neither touch nor taste is coolness/hotness any time (ekadakada). Wind of this meat. In other instances, the absence of rain intensity has also generally increased, but with a short was associated with the growth and exposure of a time span of blowing. In this area, winds blowing table-like mushroom within the village. The herdsmen from the Southeast and Western parts to the Northeast