Documenting Traditional knowledge

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Documenting Traditional knowledge

• Paul Quek and Pablo Eyzaguirre
• p.quek_at_cgiar.org
• p.eyzaguirre_at_cgiar.org

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Traditional knowledge

• Traditional knowledge generally refers to the
  body of wisdom, innovation and practices of
  indigenous people and local communities around
  the world

(Source CBD website www.biodiv.org)
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Documenting Traditional Knowledge
It is important that the process is not a one
sided approach where TK is studied without gain
to the communities
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The TK Journal Method
The Farmers Journal
Interaction
Formal Journal
TK Journal
A paper by the Scientist about the TK collected
A paper by the Farmer in Farmers own language
PQuek
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The TK Journal Method
Merging of Knowledge
citation
time
time
TK Journal
Formal Journal
PQuek
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(No Transcript)
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Oral transmission of Knowledgethe need for
documentation
Knowledge is embedded in songs, poetry, dances,
practices, skills and more.
Knowledge holder Trainee Situation/Time Material
Where one component is missing knowledge erosion
results
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A missing component
(Source Paul Quek, 2003)
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Who should record?
Local Institution
Advisory
Active Working
Active Learning
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Malaysia Ethnobotanical garden
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the evolution of knowledge

• When I was young my father taught me to keep
  accurate time by winding a watch and today I pass
  down the knowledge of keeping accurate time to my
  children to inform them to change the batteries
  in their watches. Probably for their children the
  knowledge of keeping accurate time is to
  synchronize with an atomic clock on the Internet.