i. Cultural identities of some of the communities are eroding because of the socio economic pressures, effect of globalization, growing opportunities in the job markets, change lifestyle, migration from homeland, etc.
ii. This knowledge is implicit. Most of it is not available in written form.
iii. Changed lifestyle may also weaken the knowledge transfer process to future generations.
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iv. There is dearth of respect and appreciation for this knowledge. Lack of awareness leads to misunderstanding and fails to realize the true value i.e. its scientific and technical qualities
v. Preservation of this knowledge
vi. Protection of this knowledge against misuse – Commercial exploitation of knowledge by third parties.
4.0 Conclusion
The future of IK is further endangered by the marginalization of indigenous people in terms of education. For reasons such as discrimination and remoteness many indigenous children lack access to formal education which in turn leads to further marginalization. Although IK in the past was undermined but some literature brings to attention that IK is a significant resource for development. Where western social science, technological might and institutional models seem to have failed, IK is often viewed as the latest and the best strategy in the old fight against hunger, poverty and underdevelopment. Libraries should collaborate with indigenous people to acquire, store and make IK accessible. Libraries and librarians should prioritize the management of IK. IK management equipment and tools should be provided in libraries. Efforts should be made to collect and package IK and make it available on the internet. Efforts should also be made to persuade traditional institutions and resource persons in indigenous communities to share IK with libraries for proper preservation and accessibility.
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5.0 Summary
Indigenous knowledge refers to a complete body of knowledge, knowhow and practices maintained and developed by people generally in rural areas, which have extended histories of interaction with the natural environment. Under this unit, preservation of IK in libraries (Collecting, preserving and disseminating IK )were discussed along with the causes of destruction of IK base, the unit also described the techniques to preserve and capture IK and problems associated with IK preservation.
6.0 Tutor-Marked Assignment
1. Provide preventive measures for the causes of IK base destruction
7.0 References/Further Readings
Adam, L. (2007). Information and communication technologies, knowledge management and indigenous knowledge: Implication to livelihood of communities in Ethiopia.
Available: http://www.eictda.gov.et
Agrawal, A. (1995). Indigenous and scientific knowledge: some critical comments.
Indigenous knowledge and development monitor 3(3): 3-6.
Anand, S. (2009). Cultural heritage, indigenous knowledge, and scope of communication for sustainable development. Available:
http://www.bhu.ac.in/instituteofagriculturalscienceBHU/EXTENSION_EDUCAT ION/internationalpercent seminar/Heritage_culture_and_Communic/HCC_12.pdf Anyira, I.; Onoriode, O.K. & Nwabueze, A. (2010). The Role of Libraries in the
Preservation and Accessibility of Indigenous Knowledge in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice, ISSN 1522-0222, [Online]. Available at:
http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1400&context=libphilp rac
Battiste, M., & Hendersen J.Y. (2004). Protecting indigenous knowledge and heritage: A global challenge. Saskatoon: Purich.
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Choike, O. (2003). IPRs and biodiversity: stop the theft of indigenous knowledge. At http://www/choike.org/nuevo_eng/informes/6551.html Accessed 22/07/08.
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (2008). IFLA statement on indigenous traditional knowledge. Available:
http://www.ifla.org/publications/ifla-statement-on-indigenous-traditionalknowledge
Khor, M. 2002. Intellectual property, biodiversity and sustainable development:
resolving the difficult issues. London: ZED Books Ltd.
Chisita, C.T. (2011). Role of libraries in promoting the dissemination and documentation of indigenous agricultural information: Case Study of Zimbabwe. [Online].
http://www.ifla.org/past-wlic/2011/78-chisita-en.pdf,
Chisenga, J. (2002). Indigenous knowledge: Africa’s opportunity to contribute to global information contents. South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science, 68(1), 16.
Christopher, O.O. (2015). Indigenous knowledge storage and access for cultural
continuity: the role of the library in Nigeria. International Journal of Innovative and Applied Research, 3(1): 59- 63.
Kaniki, A. M., & Mphahlele, M. E. K. (2002). Indigenous knowledge for the benefit of all: can knowledge management principles be used effectively? African Journal of Library and Information Science, 68(1):1–22. Available:
http://journals.co.za/docserver/fulltext/liasa/68/1/liasa_v68_n1_a1.pdf?expires=14 94913833&id=id&accname=58009&checksum=DD854202C534EA80D187AE6F BC832 544
Mchombu, K.J. (2002). Sharing knowledge for community development and transformation: a handbook. Canada: DLR International.
Mchombu, K.J. 2006. Harnessing knowledge management for Africa‟s transition to the 21st century. In XVII Standing Conference of Eastern Central and Southern African Library Associations (SCECSAL XVII): librarianship as a bridge to an information and knowledge society in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa. Dar-es-Salaam:
Library Association of Tanzania: 2-39.
Nakata, M. & Langton, M. (2005). Australian Indigenous Knowledge and Libraries.
Australian Academic & Research Libraries, 36(2): 1-211. [Online]. Available at:
http://www.alia.org.au/publishing/aarl/AARL_vol36_no2_2005
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Ngulube, P. (2002). Strategies for managing and preserving indigenous knowledge in the knowledge management era. In SCECSAL 2002: from Africa to the world-the globalization of indigenous knowledge systems. Pretoria: LIASA: 61-69.
Ngulube, P. (2003). Using SECI knowledge management model and other tools to
communicate and knowledge management tacit indigenous knowledge. Innovation 27: 21-28.
Okore, A.M., Ekere, J.N. and Eke, H.N. (2009). Promoting access to indigenous
knowledge in digitize age: Libraries as facilitators. Libraries Create Future: A paper presented at the Nigerian Libraries Association 47th Annual General Conference 2009, Ibadan, Oyo State, from 26-31 July 2009.
Stevens, A. (2008): A different way of knowing: Tools and strategies for managing indigenous knowledge. Libri (58): 25-33.
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