Culture and Knowledge

Culture and knowledge in the context of indigenous peoples and forest peoples is the body of knowledge, practices, and beliefs passed down through generations, integral to their cultural identities and survival. It covers the locating and use of diverse forest materials and resources, for medicine, food, tools or cultural uses, blending cultural heritage with practical applications in daily life adapted to seasons and site-based circumstances. These traditions are deeply intertwined with their languages, rituals, and customs, serving as the bedrock of their way of life. Often transmitted orally or through unwritten traditions, ceremony, music, or arts, this culture and knowledge plays a pivotal role in sustainable development by offering invaluable insights relavant to biodiversity conservation and ecological equilibrium.

Why is it relevant to indigenous peoples and forest peoples? 

The preservation, revitalisation, and passing on of traditional culture and knowledge are fundamental for indigenous peoples and many forest peoples, in particular for youth, as they form the basis of future resilience, community well-being and sustainable livelihoods, and good leadership and governance.

It also plays a crucial role in environmental stewardship, as it includes a deep understanding of local ecosystems and biodiversity, vital for conservation and sustainable natural resource management. Crucially, this knowledge is key to understanding and combatting the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss.  

The threat of expansion of large-scale agriculture, infrastructure development, and extractive industries has dire consequences for indigenous peoples and forest peoples, reducing or destroying their areas of traditional practice and learning. 

At the same time, urbanisation, globalisation and the pressure from dominant cultures, languages and knowledge systems, including through education and employment, is causing an erosion of traditional culture and knowledge systems. Intergenerational transfer of wisdom and knowledge is often disrupted, sometimes aggressively.

These pressures are diminishing community resilience and the ability to adapt to environmental and societal changes. It's important to recognise that the loss of culture and knowledge poses significant challenges for indigenous peoples and forest peoples, but by preserving and promoting these practices, we can help ensure the continued vitality of these communities’ cultures and their contributions to global sustainability.