Traditional Knowledge Systems: Culture, Ecology and Ways of Knowing - D. P Agrawal

The booklet under review here, Traditional Knowledge Systems: Culture, Ecology and Ways of Knowing, is presented concise text written in simple language. The author has done an excellent work by assembling a vast amount of information on a general topic such as "Traditional knowledge" that was acquired by the primitive people through trial and errors over thousands of years. The pamphlet has been forwarded by Mr. Vinay Lal. He sketches a bird-eye view on traditional knowledge to catch glimpses of colonial era, past glory of developed nations and significance of indigenous knowledge of third world countries by citing number of examples from global history. Further, he also emphasised the role played by pamphlets in several mass awakening revolutions in world history viz. class struggles in France, propagation of Marxist philosophy and so on and so forth. The next section deals with how the traditional knowledge systems are mother of all sciences and their potential role in socio-economic development. The booklet has included some interesting examples from UNESCO’s project named “Knowledge of Nature”. A fascinating example of traditional knowledge of navigation of fisher folk of the Polynesian atolls has mentioned which helps them to navigate the vast Pacific Ocean. Being the native of Uttarkhand, the author has given several relevant examples of indigenous knowledge from the state like, architecture of water harvesting and purification systems, discovery of modern drugs from plants used in traditional medicinal systems, 1000 BC old iron smelting site near Almora, etc. In relation to socio-economic development through traditional knowledge the author has explained the enriched roleplayed by the traditional knowledge in the development of traditional medicines, Kumauni metallurgy, Gharats (water mills) and hydro powers in Uttarakhand. Overall, the booklet has successfully conveyed the message about the importance of conservation of traditional knowledge and its potential role for socio-economic upliftment of rural people. This interesting booklet is useful for anthropologists, ethnobiologists, students, teachers, policy makers and common man.