Traditional Medicine and traditional knowledge

The term "traditional" used to describe this knowledge does not imply that this knowledge is old, nonscientific or non technical in nature, but "tradition-based." It is "traditional" because it is created in a manner that reflects the traditions of the communities, therefore not relating to the nature of the knowledge itself, but to the way in which that knowledge is created, preserved and disseminated. Traditional knowledge is collective in nature and considered the property of the entire community. It does not belong to any single individual within the community, and is transmitted through specific cultural and traditional information exchange mechanisms. Traditional knowledge is often maintained and transmitted orally through elders or specialists (breeders, healers, etc.), and often to only a select few people within a community.

When utilising terminology related to TK three general complications are context, absence of appropriate translation and non-standard usage. Since a common understanding of terminology is vital for a productive discussion, some definitions of terms as used in this discussion are given.

Traditional knowledge encompasses tradition-based literary, artistic or scientific works; performances, inventions; scientific discoveries; designs; marks, names and symbols; undisclosed information; and all other tradition � based innovations and creations resulting from intellectual activities in the industrial, scientific, literary or artistic fields. Tradition-based refers to knowledge systems, creations, innovations and cultural expressions which; have generally been transmitted from generation to generation; are generally regarded as pertaining to a particular people or territory; and are constantly evolving in response to changing environment. Categories of TK could include, agricultural knowledge, ecological knowledge, medicinal knowledge including related medicines and remedies etc.

�Indigenous knowledge� is knowledge held and used by communities, peoples and Nations that are �indigenous.� Indigenous communities, people and nations are those having historical continuity with �pre-invasion� and pre-colonial societies that developed on their own territories consider themselves distinct from other sectors of the societies now prevailing in those countries or parts of them.

Sometimes Indigenous knowledge can be part of traditional knowledge but traditional knowledge is not necessarily indigenous.

�Heritage� Heritage of indigenous peoples includes all moveable cultural property as defined by the relevant conventions of UNESCO; all kinds of literary and artistic works such as music, dance, song, ceremonies, symbols and designs, narratives and poetry; all kinds of scientific agricultural, technical and ecological knowledge, including cultigens medicines and the rational use of fauna and flora; human remains; immovable cultural property such as sacred sites, sites of historic significance, and burials; and documentation of indigenous peoples� heritage on films, photographs, videotape or audio tape.

Traditional knowledge holder, according to WIPO, refers to all persons who create, originate, develop and practice traditional knowledge in a traditional setting and context. Indigenous communities, people and nations are traditional knowledge holders, but not all traditional knowledge holders are indigenous.

Is traditional knowledge a science?

Western science has been defined as a systematic approach, a methodological approach to answering questions. Science is equated with knowledge, and it is the development of knowledge that promotes the solution of problems. The "western" scientist knows that science is based upon the principles of repeatability and predictability. In terms of the northern experience, science also equates to traditional knowledge, and southern scientists must never forget that traditional knowledge is science.

Western scientists have a tendency to reject the traditional knowledge of native peoples as anecdotal, non-quantitative, without method, and unscientific. From our scientific ivory towers we tend to ignore basic knowledge that is available to us. However, as southern scientists, it is absolutely necessary that we develop a system to provide traditional knowledge with a "scientific" framework that allows native and scientific knowledge to interact in a complementary fashion. Southern scientists must learn that "western" scientific knowledge and native knowledge and experience both have validity, that both must be used if the objectives of scientific research in the North are to be achieved.

An effective system must be developed to collect and classify native knowledge, particularly with respect to northern resources, environment and culture. Means must be found to interpret such knowledge so that it will be meaningful in other contexts without losing its essential native content and value.

Traditional knowledge is science, and the sooner southern scientists make use of that traditional knowledge the better it will be for their research. Aboriginal people wish to be involved in science and they will be involved in research whether through legislation, the permit process, or voluntary action. Partnerships are a vital part of the strategy we must adopt in together seeking imaginative, innovative, and perhaps unexpected solutions.

Traditional Knowledge

Traditional knowledge (TK), and how to preserve, protect and equitably make use of it, has recently been under increasing attention in a range of policy discussions, on matters as diverse as food and agriculture, the environment (notably the conservation of biological diversity), health (including traditional medicines), human rights and Indigenous issues, cultural policy, and aspects of trade and economic development. The role of intellectual property (IP) systems in relation to TK has been a particular focus of discussion in a number of these policy contexts in various international forums.

While the policy issues concerning TK are broad and diverse, the IP issues break down into two key themes: Defensive protection of TK, or measures that ensure that other parties do not successfully obtain IP rights over pre-existing TK Positive protection of TK, such as the use of existing legal mechanisms (contracts, access restrictions and IP.

Application of traditional knowledge?

An understanding of traditional knowledge and how it differs from non-indigenous knowledge is an important basis for determining how to use it. Knowing what it contains and how it is acquired and held is fundamental to being able to make good use of the knowledge and to encourage all parties to be aware of the added value its use will bring.

The former Director General of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Mayor, 1994) observes that indigenous people of the world possess an immense knowledge of their environments, based on centuries of living close to nature. Living in and from the richness and variety of complex ecosystems, they have an understanding of the properties of plants and animals, the functioning of ecosystems and the techniques for using and managing them that is particular and often detailed. In rural communities in developing countries, locally occurring species are relied on for many - sometimes all - foods, medicines, fuel, building materials and other products. Equally, people�s knowledge and perceptions of the environment, and their relationships with it, are often important elements of cultural identity.

Most indigenous people have traditional songs, stories, legends, dreams, methods and practices as means of transmitting specific human elements of traditional knowledge. Sometimes it is preserved in artifacts handed from father to son or mother to daughter. In indigenous knowledge systems, there is usually no real separation between secular and sacred knowledge and practice - they are closely inter-twinned. In virtually all of these systems, knowledge is transmitted directly from individual to individual from generation to generation.

How do Native people define traditional knowledge?

It is practical common sense based on teachings and experiences passed on from generation to generation.
Knowing local ecology well. It covers knowledge of the environment - snow, ice, weather, resources - and the relationships between things.
It is holistic.
It cannot be compartmentalized and cannot be separated from the people who hold it. It is rooted in the spiritual health, culture and language of the people.
It is a way of life.
Traditional knowledge is an authority system.
It sets out the rules governing the use of resources - respect, an obligation to share.
It is dynamic, cumulative and stable. It is truth.
Traditional knowledge is a way of life -wisdom is using traditional knowledge in good ways.
It is using the heart and the head together. It comes from the spirit in order to survive.
It gives credibility to the people.

Comparisons between indigenous and scientific knowledge

The temptation to compare scientific and traditional knowledge comes from collecting traditional knowledge without the contextual elements. For example, Native people have a far richer and more subtle understanding of the characteristics of ice and snow than do non-indigenous people. In fact, some Native classification is available only by virtue of its relationship to human activities and feelings. These comparisons sometimes incorrectly lead science practitioners to trivialize traditional understanding.

You can read and make reference to more specialised texts and sources. The fllowing general information might be useful;

World Health Organisation

WHO traditional medicine Programmes

Considered opinion

Whereas scientific practice generally excludes the humanistic perspective, traditional understanding assumes a holistic view including language, culture, practice, spirituality, mythology, customs and even the social organization of the local communities. For many indigenous people today, the communication of traditional knowledge is hampered by competition from other cultures that capture the imagination of the young.

Traditional knowledge incorporates knowledge of ecosystem relationships and a code of ethics governing appropriate use of the environment. This code includes rules and conventions promoting desirable ecosystem relations, human-animal interactions and even social relationships, since the latter continue to be established and reaffirmed through hunting and other activities on the land. Traditional knowledge articulates with nontraditional knowledge to form a rich and distinctive understanding of life and the world.

Indigenous Knowledge is local knowledge is unique to every culture or society, which is used as basis for local-level decision making in agriculture, healthcare, food preparation, education, natural-resource management, and a host of other activities in communities. Indigenous Knowledge is communally owned by all rather than individually and is one of the core aspects of culture which can not be codified due to its embeddedness in communal institutions including the belief systems and other institutions.

You can read more on our Ethnobotany pages