Introduction
There is no standard definition of
indigenous knowledge (Benguela Current Commission, 2013). However, there is a
general understanding of what it means (UNESCO, 2014). Indigenous knowledge is
the knowledge and know-how that is accumulated over generations and guides
human societies in their interactions with their environment (Mafongoya and
Ajayi, 2017). It
is the basis for agriculture, food preparation, health care, education,
environmental conservation and maintaining of social coherence and peace
building (Centre for Indigenous Knowledge Systems, 2005:1).
Throughout
the world indigenous knowledge is related to environment and social systems.
Particularly, African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIKS) are related to all
domains of life and the environment” (Nel, 2008). Ethiopia is also endowed with
many cultural heritages. However, many Indigenous knowledge have been
dramatically disappearing and neglected because it is over looked and
overwhelmed by western knowledge though IK has paramount role in development
and resilience building.
Community
of Chiro Cluster in West Hararghe of Mieso woreda and its neighboring Districts
of Mullu from Somali Region have rich in indigenous knowledge in a wide range
of fields like water shade management, Indigenous Knowledge (IK) of conflict
resolution, traditional farming systems and land uses as well as adaptation to
disasters are some of the IK exercised by these community. This document
depicts the role of IK in conflict resolution that is practiced by Mieso and
Mullu Districts of the neighborhood community. Thus, readers are kindly guided
to go through this document so as to get the full understanding of the documented
IK of conflict resolution.
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