Indigenous Knowledge of Namibia

Indigenous Knowledge (IK) attracts increasing public interest due to its numerous applications in bio-technology, health, bio-prospecting, pharmaceuticals, medicinal plants, agriculture, food preparation, mathematics, natural resource management, climate change, astronomy, etc. It is the dynamic information base of a society, facilitating communication and decision-making, and is continuously influenced by internal creativity, experimentation, and external contacts.

Indigenous Knowledge is the cornerstone of many modern-day innovations in Science and Technology. It is also a ready and valuable resource for sustainable and resilient livelihoods. However, the libraries of such knowledge are usually older people who are not part of the educational establishments. Thus there is urgency in documenting Indigenous Knowledge before it is lost. There is also need to document IK in order to mainstream it into formal education, ensure its effective use in instruction, and its preservation.

Indigenous Knowledge of Namibia is an invaluable compendium of Namibian IK compiled by an editorial team of respected academics, under the auspices of the University of Namibia’s Faculty of Science and Multi-Disciplinary Research Centre (MRC). The 17 chapters are authored by UNAM academics and post-graduate students from several disciplines in the natural and social sciences, and cover a wide range of topics and themes. They are based on the authors’ many years of experience and research and are a fine blend of relevant literature reviews and the authors’ own research results.

Indigenous Knowledge of Namibia is a fascinating and invaluable trans-disciplinary book aimed at a wide readership of government officials, policy makers, academics and students. It will also appeal to cooperating partners and donors who wish to anchor their programmes on the indigenous knowledge of the people of Namibia.