**3. Defining indigenous knowledge**

But what is indigenous knowledge? UNESCO provides a general portrayal to local and indigenous knowledge as the understandings, skills, and philosophies developed by societies with long histories of interaction with their natural surroundings. For rural and indigenous peoples, local knowledge informs decisionmaking about fundamental aspects of day-to-day life.

Others are more descriptive in their definitions of indigenous knowledge. For instance, Warren ([4], p. 127) argues, indigenous knowledge is a profound, detailed and shared beliefs and rules with regards to the physical resource, social norms, health, ecosystem, culture, livelihood of the people who interact with environment both in rural and urban settings. It has been the basis for local level decision making in agriculture, health care, food preparation, education, natural resource management, and a host of other activities.

Meanwhile, [5] highlights that "Indigenous people have had their own ways of looking at and relating to the world, the universe, and to each other. Their traditional education processes were carefully constructed around observing natural processes, adapting modes of survival, obtaining sustenance from the plant and animal world, and using natural materials to make their tools and implements" (as cited by [6], p. 10).

Gorjestani [7] observed that "Indigenous knowledge (IK) is used at the local level by communities as the basis for decisions pertaining to food security, human and animal health, education, natural resources management, and other vital activities. IK is a key element of the social capital of the poor and constitutes their main asset in their efforts to gain control of their own lives."

Masango [8] defined indigenous knowledge as "The totality of all knowledge and practices established on past experiences and observations that are held and used by people".

Gope et al. [9] characterized "Indigenous knowledge" as community-centric by nature, which reflects community practices and usually possesses a deep connection with land, locale, and community. Indigenous knowledge is highly tactic and hence it is quite difficult to codify and document Indigenous knowledge. Apart, indigenous knowledge is usually disseminating across generations through content and by virtue of observing the various community practices.

From the extensive definitions above, some common characteristics attribute to indigenous knowledge include the following:


The characteristics listed above, highlights the knowledge gaps in current literature, calling for a deepening of understanding of what indigenous knowledge is, and how balance and fairness can be the basis for its assimilation. This paper explores these defining characteristics through the case studies explored, to shed some light towards a more balanced worldview.
