Use of indigenous knowledge to determine weather patterns: a case study of women mussel harvesters at KwaNgwanase in KwaZulu-Natal

Jiyane, Glenrose V.; Ngulube, Patrick

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Title:	Use of indigenous knowledge to determine weather patterns: a case study of women mussel harvesters at KwaNgwanase in KwaZulu-Natal
Authors:	Jiyane, Glenrose V. Ngulube, Patrick
Year:	2012
Periodical:	Indilinga: African Journal of Indigenous Knowledge Systems
Volume:	11
Issue:	2
Pages:	206-220
Language:	English
Geographic term:	South Africa
Subjects:	shellfish fishermen women indigenous knowledge climate change
External link:	https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC132015
Abstract:	An area in which indigenous knowledge can have a significant impact on people's livelihoods is that of climate change. The purpose of this study was to establish which indigenous knowledge techniques are used by women mussel harvesters in KwaNgawanase, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, to understand and interpret weather patterns. Focus group discussions, interviews, observations and document analyses were used to collect data. The participants were asked whether they follow the seasons to harvest, whether they have set times for harvesting or whether they harvest during all seasons. It was found that natural elements such as plants, grasses, trees, animals, insects, the sky, clouds, and the stars, sun and moon are used to determine the weather and to predict weather patterns. The results further indicate that harvesting mussels poses a number of challenges. There is no specific time set for harvesting and young mussels are also harvested, so that not many mussels are left to grow to an acceptable age or size. Another challenge is that mussels are perishable which makes storage problematic. Indigenous knowledge is still highly valued, but it is not fully utilized for determining weather patterns. Bibliogr., sum. [ASC Leiden abstract]