Embracing indigenous knowledge systems in the management of dryland ecosystems in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area: the case of Chibememe and Tshovani communities, Chiredzi, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The important role indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) is described in redefining the biodiversity conservation agenda of the Chibememe and Tshovani communities in the Sangwe Communal Lands, Chiredzi, in the management of dryland ecosystems of the southeastern low veld of Zimbabwe. These communities constitute part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA). We explored ways in which the use of IKS by Chibememe and Tshovani communities have contributed to the conservation and sustainable utilisation of forest, water and wildlife resources in light of existing contemporary scientific value systems, policy and institutional frameworks. Participant observation, interviews with traditional leaders and elders, focus group discussions and literature review techniques were employed within a case study framework. Our results revealed that IKS approaches are used in the management of dryland forest, water and wildlife resources in the Chibememe and Tshovani communities and have contributed positively to the conservation and sustainable utilisation of dryland resources. We conclude that IKS play a critical role in the management of dryland forest, water and wildlife resources at the local community level and have potential to contribute to the conservation of transfrontier conservation area resources such as in the GLTFCA, provided they are recognised, respected, preserved, protected, as well as integrated into mainstream dryland ecosystem conservation. We recommend that, for communities and their biodiversity to survive, conventional science and IKS should complement and should not seek to undermine each other.

Keywords:

• biodiversity conservation
• Indigenous Peoples’ and Local Community Conserved Areas and Territories (ICCAs
• local community
• resource governance
• sacred natural site
• taboo

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the following people – Dr L.T. Chitsike, Dr Z. Duri and Dr Mawondo (deceased), Chief Gudo, Village heads; Elliot Chibememe, Mahlasera, Mugejo and Tagurana, Mr. E. Musenji, Mr. Alifonso Mapwere, Mr J. Mundondo, Mrs K. Moyo-Mhlanga, Mr J. Sambo, Mr B. T.M. Shumba, Sekuru Tirivana Musindo, Mr Elijah Musindo, Mrs Olive Jenya, Councillor Chibememe and Murhaho and Norman Chibememe for the various roles and great inputs they made for the success of this study. We are also grateful to anonymous reviewers for their useful comments and suggestions which helped improve this manuscript.