Utilization of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) Indicators in Weather Forecasting and Livelihood Planning in Coastal Regions of Tanzania
Published in the American Journal of Climate Change, June 2025
By: Sixbert S. Mwanga, Mkombozi J. Mbekenga, Henry F. Mahoo, Isack B. Yonah
Overview
Smallholder farmers, pastoralists, and fishers in coastal regions face increasing challenges from extreme weather events, especially unpredictable rain seasons and prolonged dry spells. This study explores the role of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) in weather forecasting and livelihood planning in the coastal regions of Tanzania, specifically in the districts of Chalinze, Bagamoyo, Pangani, and Lushoto. The research informs us on the procedures that lead to determining seasons for either good or poor distribution of rainfall in the next season. The paper recommends further investigation for longer periods to ascertain the relationship between scientific and IK-based weather forecasts.
What the Study Did
The methodology for this paper has established the permanent teams of indigenous weather forecasters at the village level. The teams are playing a great role as the primary reference point during the delivery of weather information and the sourcing of feedback from the community. Adoption of the approaches in this paper are expected to institutionalize actors of weather information at the community level.
Why It Matters
In areas where access to scientific climate data is limited, IK remains a critical tool for early warning and climate adaptation. This study demonstrates the value of preserving and documenting traditional knowledge while integrating it with modern systems for enhanced climate resilience.
Recommendations
The authors advocate for:
Institutionalizing IK practices through local government structures.
Supporting intergenerational knowledge transfer, especially from elders to youth.
Enhancing collaboration between meteorological institutions and IK custodians.
Investing in the sustainability of village IK teams through capacity building and digital tools.
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