Harnessing Indigenous Knowledge for Sustainable Pastoralist Education Development in Ethiopia

Abstract

There is a renewal of interest in the role of indigenous knowledge for marginalized societies after a long period of disregard for its contribution to sustainable
development and educational relevance. The attention being given to indigenous knowledge is apparent in the role that it plays in human and animal health care, the use and management of natural resources, education, poverty alleviation, and community resilience and livelihoods. Recognizing and considering indigenous knowledge in development planning can also be viewed as a response to a given community's quest for the right of self-determination and the preservation of cultural identities. Research is generating more and more data showing the relevance of indigenous knowledge for the sustainable development of the pastoralist community. This article attempted to review and advocate the need to harness indigenous knowledge in the education system of the pastoralist community in Ethiopia. The study’s methodology was a qualitative document review with critical reflections in view of understanding the role of indigenous knowledge for pastoralist development and the need to integrate it into the pastoralist education curriculum in Ethiopia. I concluded that if indigenous knowledge is to play its part in effecting sustainable development, there is a need for the systematic harnessing of informal and non-formal educational programs of the pastoralist community in Ethiopia.