Indigenous knowledge that has been developed and used over centuries in Zimbabwe holds solutions to disaster risk reduction and adaptation to climate change in vulnerable communities. 

Nature-based Intervention:

Across four districts in Zimbabwe, researchers have documented indigenous knowledge, methods and technologies that have enhanced vulnerable communities’ ability to reduce disaster risk, while supporting food security and positive health outcomes.

Overview of context and outcomes:

The indigenous knowledge documented relates largely to natural resource management, as well as using traditional knowledge for weather forecasting and subsequent mitigation measures for reducing the impacts of floods and droughts. For example, when changing winds indicated that a prolonged rainfall was likely, planting and other activities that were well suited to rainy conditions were initiated. Most notably, when community members discovered exceptionally well developed wild fruit such as Wild Loquat and Sweet Monkey oranges, this indicated that was poor rainy season was to be expected, which led people to grow drought resistant crops, harvest and store fruits for future use, and develop additional sources of drinking water. Cultural taboos developed over time to guide the management of natural resources. For instance, one taboo forbids people from overharvesting and commercializing certain medicinal plants by having people believe that some herbs cure only when consumed at the point of location and not when carried home. Another common taboo prohibits the cutting down of wild fruit trees and trading in wild fruit, as wild fruits growing near communities act as a reserve granary for the community during times of distress, particularly droughts, ensuring people’s food security. Moreover, beekeeping has been a customary practice in these districts for generations, and cultural taboos around beekeeping have reportedly prevented deforestation, as the forest forage for bees is respected.