Within the Lapai Gwari neighborhood of Niger state, north central Nigeria, elders predict the climate by observing a big stone within the Chachanga River. The LapanGwagwan stone serves as a device to find out the frequency of flooding and gauge the severity of rainfall.
When the color of the stone adjustments to brown, it signifies an imminent heavy downpour, whereas a gray color signifies both mild or average rainfall.
This conventional data helps the neighborhood to organize for potential flooding.
This is only one instance of the indigenous data established within the literature as necessary in mitigating the consequences of local weather change. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Local weather Change Evaluation report additionally affirms that indigenous data must be built-in into analysis.
Transferring this data doesn’t all the time occur, nonetheless. Scientists and policymakers don’t all recognise its worth.
In the meantime, for coastal communities like Lapai Gwari, frequent flooding poses a main menace and danger to long-term growth.
Research recommend that by 2100, sea ranges might rise by as a lot as 100cm, presenting much more hazards to coastal communities round Africa.
I’ve been researching the variation and resilience of African coastal cities to local weather change for over a decade. I imagine that figuring out and integrating indigenous data has rather a lot to supply.
In a latest e book chapter, I recognized 5 distinctive indigenous data methods practised in 4 coastal communities of Africa. These are: change in water color; lunar commentary; participatory mapping; yearly sacrifice to the gods; and in depth data of native vegetation and animals.
I argue that drawing on native knowledge and experience can improve insurance policies and mechanisms to guard individuals from the consequences of frequent flooding in African coastal cities.
Analysis goals and strategies
To determine the indigenous data inside these communities, I reviewed related literature, newspaper articles and social media retailers, and interviewed native residents of coastal communities. These have been in Lagos and Delta States in Nigeria, Durban in South Africa, and Accra in Ghana.
I aimed to know practices in these communities that associated to flood resilience and adaptation.
I found that folks had helpful indigenous data about predicting and mapping flood dangers. However this data was fragmented and there wasn’t a cohesive framework to place it into apply.
Folks mentioned that data wasn’t being documented and shared. Additionally, faith and schooling influenced perceptions concerning the worth of the data.
5 indigenous data methods
Change in water color: Native residents in Delta State, Nigeria informed me how they knew {that a} flood was about to happen: there was a sudden change within the color of the water from clear to deep brown. The flood normally adopted the change in water color after 24 to 48 hours. This warning signal gave the neighborhood time to take precautions, resembling evacuating low-lying areas and securing belongings.
Lunar commentary: Folks within the Anlo coastal neighborhood in Ghana’s Volta Area research the moon and use it to foretell flood years. They mentioned an approaching full moon in the course of the peak of rainfall indicated that flood was imminent. They perceive the moon’s affect on tidal patterns and its correlation with flood occasions, empowering them to behave prematurely.
Participatory mapping strategy: In Accra and Durban, some residents have developed a participatory mapping strategy which helps them put together for floods. They map their environment, together with weak areas and pure sources. This permits them to determine areas liable to flooding and assess the effectiveness of current nature-based options resembling mangroves or wetlands. They’ll additionally discover methods to cut back flood dangers.
Yearly sacrifice to the gods: The chief priest of the Isheri neighborhood in Lagos described an annual sacrifice carried out to appease the gods and address flooding. This indigenous apply displays the cultural and non secular beliefs of the neighborhood.
Data of native natural world: The coastal communities I studied had a deep data of native vegetation and animals and their ecological significance. They knew concerning the influence of local weather change on these species. Via their shut interactions with the surroundings, individuals had noticed adjustments within the behaviour, distribution and abundance of species, offering helpful insights into the consequences of local weather change.
From apply to coverage
These distinctive indigenous data practices provide alternatives to construct resilient coastal communities. So it’s disheartening that their recognition and integration into mainstream efforts stays restricted.
My research proposes that the brand new fashions and improvements for resilience apply ought to draw on indigenous data.
The start line is for policymakers to acknowledge its worth. Methods have to be discovered to work collectively, creating and sharing data. Such platforms ought to deliver collectively scientists, consultants, policymakers and indigenous communities to foster mutual studying, respect and understanding.
Communities additionally need assistance to construct their capability and strengthen their position in resilience initiatives. This contains supporting initiatives that doc and protect indigenous data, recognising its cultural and historic significance.
Investments must be made in schooling and coaching that promotes the transmission of indigenous data to youthful generations, making certain its continuity and relevance within the face of evolving environmental challenges.
By embracing the genuine integration of scientific and indigenous data, we are able to pave the best way for extra complete, context-specific and sustainable approaches to flood resilience in African coastal cities.
