INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS

In what ways are sense perception and memory crucial in constructing knowledge in indigenous knowledge systems? How do beliefs about the physical and metaphysical world influence the pursuit of knowledge in indigenous knowledge systems? How do indigenous people use the concept of respect to relate to their view of the world?

WHAT DO THEY HAVE IN COMMON?


"Indigenous peoples are custodians of some of the most biologically diverse territories in the world. They are also responsible for a great deal of the world’s linguistic and cultural diversity, and their traditional knowledge has been and continues to be an invaluable resource that benefits all of mankind".

STATE OF THE WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES 

The United Nations and the International Labour Organization have outlined the following characteristics
  • People who are descend from the pre-colonial/pre-invasion inhabits of a region
  • People who suffer from economic and political marginalization as a minority group
  • People who maintain a close tie to the land in their cultural and economic practices
  • People who consider themselves indigenous 
Wopkaimin people of Papua New Guinea.
Indigenous knowledge systems explore local knowledge unique to a particular culture or society. The term usually refers to the knowledge constructed by a particular group of people such as the Namaqua people of Southern Africa, the Secoya people of Ecuador and Peru, the Ryukyuan people of Japan and the Wopkaimin people of Papua New Guinea. An important feature of indigenous knowledge systems is that they are not static. They are dynamic as a result of both internal and external influences. The Maori knowledge system today, for example, is a mixture of traditional knowledge and knowledge inherited over time from exposure to European culture.

TOK students can explore this AOK from a general, broad point of view to raise awareness of the diversity of indigenous knowledge systems or they could study a particular indigenous knowledge system. When studying indigenous knowledge systems, it is important to examine the methods of communication, decision-making processes, thinking processes and the holistic view of knowledge.

TOK Guide 2015

KNOWLEDGE FRAMEWORK

KQ: What role does memory play in the preservation of knowledge in Indigenous Knowledge Systems?

ACTIVITY:
ORAL TRADITIONS AND PERSPECTIVES

In groups. Select two indigenous groups around the world (perspectives). Create a 10-15 minutes presentation that includes the following:

  • Introduction of both groups (History, geography, language, culture)
  • Answer the prescribed KQ by comparing and contrasting both groups
  • Formulate a knowledge question related to any of the categories of the KF and answer it by comparing and contrasting both groups