Indigenous Science & Technology for Sustainable Development

by Subramanyam, V.

• ISBN13: 9788131601310
• ISBN10: 8131601315
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-01-01
• Publisher: Rawat Publications

Summary

Formal knowledge is developed in the university settings and research institutes of modern society, whereas Indigenous knowledge is the informal knowledge that exists in local societies. Indigenous knowledge of a human group covers a wide range of its members' perceptions of universal phenomena occurring in their immediate environment, as well as in the social, economic, and cultural practices of the people. The roots of modern technology are found in the indigenous scientific knowledge of different human groups. In recent times, many scientists, including anthropologists, have felt the need to preserve indigenous knowledge and its use for the sustainable development of tribal and rural folks. Indigenous knowledge is an important natural resource that can facilitate the development process in cost-effective, participatory, and sustainable ways. The research papers in this volume present the practical knowledge of tribal and rural folks of India in utilization of indigenous science and technologies in their subsistence activities. They examine issues such as indigenous knowledge systems, traditional subsistence systems, traditional health care systems, traditional folk media, indigenous science, resource management, and sustainable development.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Introduction	p. 1
Indigenous Knowledge Systems
Indigenous Knowledge Systems of Local People	p. 19
Technology of Tribal and Rural Artisans and Handicrafts	p. 24
Knowledge Systems, Hierarchies and Relevance	p. 29
Technology is the Route to Progress: A View From the Study of Prehistoric Material Culture	p. 35
Creative Excellence of Tribal: Continuity of Indigenous Knowledge for Sustenance	p. 46
Hidden Wisdom Behind the Primitive Huts	p. 68
Indigenous Housing Pattern and Architecture: An Appraisal	p. 74
Dynamics of Indigenous Knowledge: A Case Study of Cyclopean Technology in Eastern Ghats	p. 87
Traditional Subsistence Systems
Use of Traditional Technologies in the Subsistence Activities and Sustainable Development: A Study among Primitive Tribes of Visakha Agency, Andhra Pradesh	p. 105
The Horticulturists of Central Nicobar Islands: A Study of Indigenous Production System	p. 113
Simple Technologies and Complicated Linkages: From Siwalik Hills to Eastern Ghats	p. 120
Science and Application of Indigenous Technological Knowledge for Sustenance Among the Abhujh Maria	p. 127
Sustainable Development in Relation to Traditional Wisdom of Bison-Horn Maria	p. 133
Toddy Tapping Technology: A Means of Economic Subsistence	p. 140
Indigenous Knowledge and Subsistence Systems: Some Observations Among the Primitive Tribal Groups of Andhra Pradesh	p. 150
Traditional Health Care Systems
Survival of Ethnomedicine in the Modern Medical World: A Study Among the Kadar Tribe of Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu	p. 159
Ethnomedicine and the Traditional Treatment: A Case Study of the Irular of Tamil Nadu	p. 168
Gods in the Garb of Healers: An Interface Between Indigenous Knowledge and the Supernatural	p. 177
Traditional Practices in Mother and Child Health Care Among Tribal Populations of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh	p. 189
Papikondala Treatment: A Practice of Indigenous Medicine Among Tribal Folk in Andhra Pradesh	p. 197
Dietary Practices in Some Nomadic Tribes of Andhra Pradesh: Problems and Perspectives	p. 205
Human Genetics in the Service of Tribal Health	p. 216
Traditional Folk Media
Folklore and Traditional Folk Media Technologies in Rural and Tribal Areas of Andhra Pradesh: An Anthropological Perspective	p. 227
Folklore and Traditional Folk Media Technologies	p. 244
Traditional Education: The Role of Teaching Technology	p. 255
Role of Traditional Youth Dormitory in Muduvan Community of Tamil Nadu	p. 262
Language and Culture: A Study in Acculturation and Loss	p. 270
Indigenous Science, Resource Management and Sustainable Development
Indigenous Science, Traditional Techniques and Tribal Development: Some Reflections from Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu	p. 287
Traditional Knowledge and Sustainable Resource Management Among the Savaras of Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh	p. 303
Remote Sensing vs Indigenous Technologies in Watershed Development in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu	p. 314
Traditional Non-Chemical Agricultural Practices Among the Tribes of Visakha Agency in Andhra Pradesh	p. 321
Utilization of Indigenous Technology by the Tribes for the Sustainable Development	p. 344
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