CFP: [Collections] Indigenous Knowledge Systems of India

full name / name of organization: 
Dr. Neerja Arun
contact email: 

CALL FOR PAPER

Submissions are invited for an exclusive collection of research articles
for a jointly edited volume by Dr. Rakesh Saraswat and Dr. Neerja Arun
related to Indigenous Knowledge Systems of India.

In India, there is a large reservoir of knowledge systems - technologies
as well as trained craftsmen and scholars who possess knowledge in
various branches of traditional Indian sciences and technologies. These
span vast and varied areas like agriculture, architecture, metallurgy,
metal working, health care systems and textiles, and also various
theoretical areas ranging from astronomy and mathematics to grammar,
logic and linguistics. In many of these sectors it is also a fact that
knowledge prevails at various levels ranging from the classical scholars
who may have a knowledge of textual material and manuscripts in Indian
languages, to the Folk practitioners who have their training and skills
as a living tradition of transmission of skills and knowledge.

Indigenous knowledge (IK) systems refer to the unique, traditional, local
knowledge existing within and developed around the specific conditions of
women and men indigenous to a particular geographic area (Grenier 1998).
The development of IK systems, covering all aspects of life, including
human thought and management of the natural resources, has been a mater
of survival to the people who generated these systems. Such knowledge
systems are cumulative, representing generations of experience, and trial
and error experiments.

IK is stored in peoples’ memories and activities and its expressed in the
form of stories, songs, folklore, proverbs, dances myths, cultural
values, beliefs, rituals, community laws, local language and taxonomy,
agricultural practices, equipment, materials, plant species, and animal
breeds. IK is shared and communicated orally, by specific examples and
through culture. Indigenous forms of communication and oranisation are
vital to local - level decision-making process and to the preservation,
development and spread of IK.

Indigenous knowledge is not confined to tribal groups or the original
inhabitants of an area. It is not even confined to rural people. Rather,
any community possesses indigenous knowledge -- rural and urban, settled
and nomadic, original inhabitants and migrants. Other names for
indigenous knowledge (or closely related concepts) are "local
knowledge," "indigenous technical knowledge" and "traditional knowledge."

In defining the concept of indigenous knowledge (IK) systems of India,
one must keep in mind the practical needs as well as the research needs.
In general, indigenous knowledge is the participants' knowledge of the
temporal and social space. Indigenous knowledge as such refers not only
to the knowledge of indigenous peoples, but to that of any other defined
community.

 The articles should be between 5000-8000 words. A 250-300 words long
abstract should reach by email as word attachment or rtf. format at the
following addresses by 30th June 2008:

Dr. Rakesh Saraswat: rakesh61_at_gmail.com

Or

Dr. Neerja Arun: drneerjaarun_at_yahoo.com

 Address for snail mail: Dr. Neerja Arun, English Department, Bhavan’s
Arts and Commerce College, Khanpur, Vidyagauri Nilkanth Marg Ahmedabad.
380001. Any clarifications can be obtained from any of the above
addresses.

 

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Received on Sun May 25 2008 - 07:00:51 EDT