Introduction.
Between 7th and 11th August 2023, the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU) organised a two-day capacity building event for selected stakeholders in Kasese to enhance their capacity to utilise indigenous knowledge to address the effects of climate change, and conducted a GIS mapping around Ekisalhalha Kya Kororo cultural site in Kyondo Sub-county to understand land use, map knowledge bearers and highlight various heritage sites in the area.
A capacity building workshop for selected stakeholders on the utilisation of indigenous knowledge for climate action
The workshop was organised to (a) discuss climate change, its associated risks, mitigation measures and adaptation (b) enhance the capacity of key stakeholders to appreciate the role of indigenous knowledge in climate change mitigation, and collectively discuss strategies to apply this knowledge and, (c) to identify the community’s perception of risks, vulnerabilities and capacities regarding indigenous knowledge of riverbank restoration, and early warning systems, among other elements through a Vulnerability Capacity Assessment. This event took place at Virina Gardens in Kasese.
Participants included representatives of the local community at Kyondo living near the Ekisalhalha Kya Kororo Cultural Site, the Sub County Chairperson, Obusinga Bwa Rwenzuru Cultural Institution, Uganda Wildlife Authority, the District Environmental Officer, Uganda Red Cross, Civil Society and Community Based Organisations, and Tourism focused entities.
Several participatory sessions were facilitated by Fredrick Nsibambi and Aliguma Ahabyona from CCFU, and knowledgeable participants on various themes including understanding climate change, risks, mitigation and adaptation measures, mapping stakeholders, traditional knowledge and cultural systems, and a vulnerability capacity assessment was also made.
Manifestation of climate change in Kasese communities
The workshop commenced with introductions, including individual mentions of how climate change is manifesting in the local communities, and what impact it has had. From increasing temperatures, landslides, melting snow, moving animals and plants from low lands to higher lands in the Mountains, disappearance of endemic plants, to washing away cultural sites, climate change has had adverse effects and has also affected people’s livelihoods.
The Basongora, an Indigenous Minority Group in Kasese stressed that, human activities along the river banks upstream affect the quality of the water downstream where they graze their cattle, and therefore also affect their livelihoods.
Muthahnga Bwambale Johnson of Rwenzori Rangers Hikers Association highlighted that ‘…man cannot live without nature but nature can live without man’, to indicate the severity of climate change and how individual responsibility should take a center stage in mitigating climate change.
Existing traditional knowledge and cultural practices for climate mitigation.
The sessions also underscored existing indigenous knowledge and cultural practices that are critical in climate change mitigation and adaption. An appreciation of both indigenous knowledge as indigenous science ought to be elevated, rather than referring to only modern science as ‘science’. The Bakonzo have held traditions for millennia and these could provide solutions to contemporary challenges especially climate change.
A discussion on indigenous trees that offer better catchment for riverbanks and watershed, and offer indigenous knowledge relationships to the Bakonzo and related communities was discussed – the list included only indigenous trees. The examples mentioned include water/swamp reeds, fig trees (emitooma), Emikooha, Rwenzori Bamboo, etc.
Participants however decried the loss of cultural values especially among young people, loss of indigenous trees species as a result of government projects that are not sensitive to indigenous practices, disappearing traditional learning spaces for intergenerational learning, among others.
Some traditional norms and practices that promote conservation and could help in climate mitigation were discussed, including restrictions in cutting a tree that one cannot embrace (hug), no hunting of pregnant animals, disposal of human waste is prohibited and has consequences, respect of cultural rituals, conducting sacrifices, etc. Early warning systems for weather changes include a detection of movement of birds and butterflies in particular directions, movement of snake down the mountain points to calamity which could befall communities in the slopes, etc.
Closing remarks
In his closing remarks, Hon. Ericaana Baluku, Minister for Culture and Native Administration, Obusinga Bwa Rwenzuru Cultural Institution, implored the Bakonzo to protect the environment and save the ‘nzururu’ – the snow from completely disappearing. ‘Nzururu’ means the snow, and ‘Rwenzururu’ is the place of snow, therefore when snow is lost, the identity of the Bakonzo will be lost.
He appreciated the presence of the Basongora, and indigenous Minority Community as this highlighted that common challenges should be addressed collectively and cultural diversity should be appreciated for harmonious living in Kasese. He also appreciated CCFU for its consistency in highlighting the role of culture in development through conservation.
GIS mapping
As part of the project, CCFU undertook a GIS mapping to map out and understand the current landuse of the Ekisalhalha kya Kororo and current location of the knowledge bearers (and the related information) on the cultural site and how it can be preserved from the effects of climate change.
Background
The Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU) is implementing a micro project titled ‘Using traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples to mitigate the effects of climate change on Ekyisalhalha kya Kororo sacred cultural site on River Kabiri in Kasese, in the Rwenzori region’. This micro project is part of ICCROM’s Net Zero: Heritage for Climate Action project that seeks to implement heritage-based mitigation and adaptation strategies in 5 innovation sites (in Uganda, Brazil, Sudan, Egypt and India) to reduce the impacts of climate change for people and heritage.