African indigenous knowledge (AIK) for environmental management and sustainable development: the role of Yoruba epistemology

Abstract

Anthropological expeditions across traditional communities in Africa acknowledged human practices evolved over several years. These practices have been long certified as reliable and sustainable in preventing and mitigating the impacts of disasters. This paper interrogates some African practices which have spiritual inclinations and deep cultural relationships with environment and its sustainability. A qualitative research approach which literarily explores the evolutionary origins of IK was employed. This is done within the framework of African traditions and value systems to provide a strategy for mainstreaming IK in disaster management. It draws insight from cultural relativism theory as a theoretical framework that guides data analysis and interpretation. Existing literature and historical documents were the major method used in the analysis. The results showed that some African environmental practices were insufficiently researched and undocumented. The implications of such practices on sustainable development are not deeply understood and acknowledged. It is then concluded that this hinders easy integration and an all-inclusive approach to disaster management that associates IK with contemporary techniques in solving environmental problems for maximum sustainability and harnessing development opportunities. It then provides a strategy for mainstreaming IK in environmental management efforts by all stakeholders globally for harnessing symbiotic disaster-development opportunities synergy.