Climate change and the nature of intergenerational transfer of knowledge in the contemporary world: The case of Masasi District in Tanzania

Abstract

This article discusses a detailed overview of the paradigm shift as a result of contemporary socio-economic and environmental changes, and their implications to the continuity in intergenerational transfer of traditional ecological knowledge. The continuity of intergenerational transfer of TEK faces challenges due to a number of factors, but most importantly being the erosion of traditional platforms for common sharing about the environment or environmental changes. The information presented in this article was mainly obtained from in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, photo narratives and data on climate from the Tanzania Meteorological Agency. A content analysis was used by the study to interpret phrases, terms and expressions used by respondents to respond to questions and in discussions conducted in line with the objectives. From the study findings it is seen how modern systems for communication such as the media, new ways of learning about the environment such as through Extension workers in agriculture are gradually overtaking traditional systems of knowledge sharing. In addition, the gradual inability of TEK to make accurate predictions about the environment in the context of a rapidly changing environment due to climate change is also causing distrust. For a generation that demands quick and tangible answers, TEK practices may not seem to satisfy this need.