Role of indigenous knowledge and practices among the Bajau and Dusun communities towards biodiversity conservation in Kota Belud, Sabah, Malaysia
Indigenous knowledge of Bajau and Dusun people was developed from centuries of interacting, experimenting and adapting to the natural environment. Such knowledge was created as they historically inhabited biologically rich areas and ultimately dictated the way Bajau and Dusun people utilised the...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2021
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/104563/1/FEM%202022%202%20IR.pdf |
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| Summary: | Indigenous knowledge of Bajau and Dusun people was developed from centuries of
interacting, experimenting and adapting to the natural environment. Such knowledge
was created as they historically inhabited biologically rich areas and ultimately
dictated the way Bajau and Dusun people utilised the natural resources around them.
Indigenous knowledge of Bajau and Dusun people is holistic and dynamic,
emphasising the balance of physical and supernatural realms. Reflecting this concept
to biodiversity conservation, indigenous knowledge of Bajau and Dusun people could
be found in traditional medicine, river management, traditional hunting, and traditional
farming. Thus, the unique knowledge of Bajau and Dusun people in various practices
makes it important to study in the context of biodiversity conservation. This qualitative
study applied case study approach to delve into the perspectives and experiences of
Bajau and Dusun people regarding their indigenous knowledge system. The data in
this study was collected through interviews, focus group discussion, and observation.
Kota Belud in Sabah was selected as the study site and informants were chosen
using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The informants in this study were
Dusuns and Bajaus, the two main ethnics in Kota Belud. Fieldworks for data collection
involved 11 informants (n=11) all together. The data was analysed thematically with
the aid of NVivo 8.The main findings in this study yielded three major themes
reflecting the objectives. The first theme deals with indigenous knowledge and
practices of Bajau and Dusun people in traditional farming, traditional hunting, river
management, and traditional medicine. The second theme presents the initiatives of
Bajau and Dusun people in transferring indigenous knowledge to their communities.
The third theme touches on the documentation of indigenous knowledge of Bajau and
Dusun people. Lastly, the findings of this study provide some implications to the body
of knowledge by delivering discussions on the role of indigenous knowledge of Bajau
and Dusun communities in biodiversity conservation. In practical, this study helps the
government to strengthen the existing policies and create programmes pertaining to
biodiversity conservation. This study also demonstrates significant implication from the perspectives of Bajau and Dusun communities with regards to indigenous
knowledge documentation. |
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