Indigenous Knowledge
and
Development Monitor

Contents IKDM 6 (3) December 1998

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Articles
Editorial Indigenous values and GIS: a method and a framework, by Garth Harmsworth. In New Zealand, geographic information systems (GIS) are becoming increasingly important in all areas of resource management and environmental planning. There is growing interest among the Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, in the use of GIS to help them achieve some of their goals and aspirations. This article describes recent efforts to identify Maori values which are part of Maori traditional knowledge (maatauranga Maaori). It then presents a method and framework for incorporating these values into GIS tools. Differences between farmers and scientists in the perception of soil erosion: a South African case study, by Serge Cartier van Dissel and Jan de Graaff. Over the years agricultural scientists and extension agents have asked themselves why farmers do not take steps to control soil erosion, especially where such measures would appear to be cost-effective. Several explanations have been put forward, but thus far insufficient attention has been given to differences between scientists and farmers in their perception of the causes and effects of soil erosion. This is illustrated by a case study carried out in Zululand in South Africa. The preparation of gundruk in Nepal: a sustainable rural industry?, by Narayan P. Manandhar. To overcome the scarcity of green vegetables in the hilly and mountainous regions of Nepal, the local people have traditionally had recourse to "gundruk", a non-salted and fermented leafy vegetable. This article describes the various ways of preparing it and the place of gundruk in the community. It also explores the possibilities for establishing a sustainable rural industry which may serve as a blueprint for communities elsewhere. Reactions Indigenous knowledge: the proof is in the eating of the pudding. Focus on: Fieldwork experience in Cameroon, Peasant ingenuity and innovation in the face of crisis. Guest column by Mongane Wally Serote Column In the Year of Science and Technology. Dr Mongane Wally Serote is a Member of Parliament in South Africa (for the ANC), where he is chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Arts, Culture and Language, Science and Technology. He is also chairperson of the Steering Committee of the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Programme.

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