Traditional Knowledge Systems and Cultural Heritage

Indigenous knowledge systems are embedded in traditional practices with deep rooted understanding of nature and culture, often passed on from one generation to another. These systems struggle to find a place in contemporary life, though they embed wisdom that is unique to a culture, region or a society and are inherent for sustainable living. This generates the need to identify and understand indigenous knowledge, along with exploring, extracting and incorporating these in the present day context. The volume brings together perspectives and interpretations of indigenous knowledge systems within the pluralistic context that goes beyond the dichotomy of tangible-intangible, urban-rural, traditional-contemporary, classical-every day divisions. The collection focuses on highlighting a diverse spectrum of living traditions such as crafts, dance, art, beverages and building traditions, along with contemporary expressions of knowledge systems that have traversed over time to take on new forms and embedded meanings in the traditions, rituals and activities. The discourse is taken forward through coverage of initiatives that help sustain traditional building techniques, industry, healing systems and water structures. As a whole, this compilation endeavours to cover various expressions of indigenous knowledge systems, positioning these between past, present and future, while viewing their existence and applications from multiple perspectives.