Indigenous Knowledge acquisition and sharing on wild mushroom among local communities in selected districts in Tanzania

Abstract

The objective of the study was to assess existing practices of acquiring and sharing indigenous knowledge (IK) related to wild mushroom species among local communities and examine how local communities harvested, processed, preserved and marketed wild mushroom species using existing IK related to such activities. The study also sought to validate the Socialization, Externalization, Combination and Internalization (SECI) model to find out its suitability for managing indigenous knowledge on mushroom. The research employed a mixed research design, using cross-sectional design and a case study design. The study found out that primary sources of mushroom IK are predominantly tacit and local and personal experience. This study found that most of the respondents indicated that personal experience, parents, guardians and family are their key sources of information for edible and non-edible wild mushroom. The study further found that the IK used to distinguish edible and poisonous wild mushroom are experience gained from elders followed by color and appearance, being eaten by wild animals/insects, place of growth and smell. Others include size, production of exudates, taste and using names inherited from elders. The major means of acquiring knowledge related to use of wild mushroom is accompanying relatives during harvesting seasons and through training by elders and direct observations. Over 20 edible dominant wild mushroom collected and used by local communities using IK were identified. It was recommended that existing structures and networks such as farmer groups, and folklore should be fostered by knowledge intermediaries, NGOs, government institutions and village leaders so that they can encourage and motivate active participation of individual farmers and groups to establish links with other communities to enable learning, sharing and creation of new indigenous knowledge especially on use of wild mushroom.