"When a knowledgeable old person dies, a whole library disappears"-an
old African proverb. Indigenous knowledge (IK) is the local knowledge
that is unique to a given culture or society. IK contrasts with the
international knowledge system generated by universities, research
institutions and private firms. It is the basis for local-level decision
making in agriculture, health care, food preparation, education,
natural-resource management and a host of other activities in rural
communities.