Knowledge as Power or Shackles: Acceptability Challenges of Indigenous Knowledge Among Local Community Members in Uvinza District, Tanzania

Abstract

Knowledge is power; yet there are times when the knowledge apparently considered to be power can be shackled. This paper shares  findings on acceptability challenges facing the use of knowledge of localities in conserving the Malagarasi-Muyowozi wetland resources  in Uvinza District, in the Western part of Tanzania. Through a case study design, mixed methods approach was used, in which interviews  and questionnaires were used to collect data from 1148 local community members from five villages in the area. The findings revealed  that indigenous knowledge is used and accepted in conserving the wetland resources in the area. However, the findings indicated that  the knowledge is not respected as the case is with the western-based knowledge. Holders of indigenous knowledge feel inferiority and  they sometimes it. The paper stands in the position of advocating for creating awareness among the community members on necessity  of respecting, using and sharing their local-based knowledge for them to be beneficial and liberative as they strive to earn their livelihood  through interacting with their surrounding wetland resources.