The role of Acehnese women in enhancing community preparedness through the inter-generational transmission of local and indigenous knowledge

Abstract

Intergenerational transmission of traditional knowledge plays an important role. The involvement of women shows a significant impact on building family and community preparedness. However, limited attention paid to the unique contributions of Acehnese women has identified an erosion of traditional knowledge systems in the local context. This study explores the role and involvement of Acehnese women in the intergenerational transmission of knowledge about disaster preparedness based on local wisdom. A qualitative study in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar involving interviews with key informants namely where they live, victims or non-victims of the 2004 Aceh tsunami, and career women or housewives. Acehnese ethnic women living in coastal areas were sampled randomly and purposively. Ten agreed to participate and were interviewed. The face-to-face interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using an analytical framework. The interviews revealed that the role and involvement of women in the transmission of local knowledge and practices was hampered by cultural and political factors which caused the erosion of this knowledge.