Traditional ecological knowledge practices in climate change contexts: A case of masasi district, Tanzania

Abstract

The chapter presents findings and discussions in relations to the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) practices in the context of climate change. Throughout generations, local communities have the way of coping with different problems including environmental changes. Presented information in this chapter was mainly obtained from in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, photo narratives in the study area, and data on climate from the Tanzania Meteorological Agency. From the study findings, it was seen how modern systems for communication such as media and new ways of learning about the environment like through extension workers in agriculture are gradually overtaking traditional systems of knowledge sharing. The findings outlined in this chapter show that local community members use different traditional knowledge towards coping with climate change-related problems. The increasing impact of climate change makes local communities rely on traditional ecological knowledge to cope with the effects. The different practices used by local communities which are related to agricultural production, include communal labor (mkumi), mulching, community leadership and rainmaking practices, planting dry season foods for food security, traditional food storage techniques, and weather prediction practices. These practices are significant to cope with climate change challenges.