Climate change and indigenous knowledge in Zimbabwe: a human factor approach

Abstract

This chapter examines the interface between climate change and Indigenous Knowledge (IK), paying particular attention to the role of IK in rural people’s livelihoods. People in rural agrarian economies have often survived harsh and changing climatic conditions. They have developed ingenious indigenous adaptation measures and managed to build resilient livelihoods. However, whilst IK has been a source of resilience, climate change provokes serious threats to both livelihoods and the nature of indigenous climate knowledge. Within an increasingly changing context, it is becoming problematic whether IK on its own remains sufficient for people to adapt their livelihoods sustainably. We, therefore, suggest that in order to have sustainable indigenous adaptive strategies, a Human Factor approach can be adopted.