The Practices of Traditional knowledge and Wisdom by Multi-Ethnics on Swidden Agriculture of Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract

Traditional Indigenous knowledge can be defined as a networkof knowledges, beliefs, and traditions intendedto preserve, communicate, and contextualize Indigenous relationships with culture and landscape over time (Imang, 2020a). One might distinguish'knowledge' as factual data, 'belief' as religious concepts, and'tradition' as practice, but these terms are often used imprecisely and interchangeably to describe Indigenous epistemologies (Imang, 2020b).Indigenous knowledgesare conveyed formally and informally among kin groups and communitiesthrough social encounters, oral traditions, ritual practices, and other activities. They included oral narratives that recount human histories; cosmological observations and modes of reckoning time; symbolic and decorative modes of communication; techniques for planting and harvesting; hunting and gathering skills; specialized understandings of local ecosystems; and the manufactureofspecialized tools and technologies (e.g., flint-knapping, hide tanning, pottery-making, and concocting medicinal remedies (Bruchac, 2014).Traditional knowledge is the foundation of indigenous peoples' identities, cultural heritage, civilizations, livelihoods and coping strategies over several centuries. Its promotion, protection and preservation is fundamental for the sustainability of the livelihoods of indigenous peoples, their resilience to human-made and natural disasters and the

University Extension Programs to Promote the Traditional Knowledge of Marginalised Rural Communities in the ASEAN Region

“…The successful outcome of the initiative and the challenges it faced are described in the book authored by Rodericks (2020). Duakaju and Imang (2021) undertook a qualitative study in Kalimantan, Indonesia, to study the traditional agriculture different ethnic and sub-ethnic groups. They found that swidden ("slash and burn") agricultural practices were widely practised by several ethnic groups utilising inland land and forest areas sufficiently large for farming.…”