Transmitting indigenous knowledge today.

• Published: 2007
• Subjects: ethnoscience; traditional ecological knowledge; indigenous people
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/151

Culture is dynamic and capable of adapting to new conditions. Practices that are useful and harmless should be made available to those who need them. Many people believe the transmission of the indigenous knowledge will strengthen their cultural life. Attention should be given to the ways of preserving the knowledge. Some elders believe in their knowledge and prefer to see it being protected. Indigenous languages should be developed to become the media of instruction. After talking to people in communities, the researcher understands how important the knowledge is to them. They give attention to the mainstreaming of the knowledge. Some people believe culture molds their lives.Their beliefs about the past are more important than the actual sequence of events. Many believe traditional values emphasising mutual influences beteen various aspects of communities are combined with western beliefs, that place a high value on individuality and independence. Researchers believe each generation grow up in a mass of tradition and pass through. As they grow they learn different cultures, but only need guidance in learning them. People understand that cultural knowledge develops, changes and improves with time. Problems arise when individuals come into contact with other people of different cultures. === Prof. R.S. Chaphole