Ancestral Wisdom

Above: Star Trails of Namibia by Karen Deakin

The pandemic has affected us on a global scale and brought new awareness of the devastating effects of climate change and consequently the loss of biodiversity.  As a direct result, we have become more aware of the urgent need to change our modern way of life to living more sustainably.  It is our responsibility to mitigate the extreme ramifications of our actions. We can help the world address climate change and implement effective conservation practices by learning from indigenous cultures’ way of life.  Long overdue, but hopefully not too late, the Western world is waking up to this fact. For example, the Prince of Wales recently stated, “We must learn from indigenous people to help save the planet.” More on this subject and statements from the Prince of Wales here.

The Tribal Trust continues to support one of the Ju/’hoansi San Bushmen communities living in northeast Namibia. Recently, they asked the Tribal Trust to provide a school in their village that ensures an indigenous transfer of knowledge that coincides with teaching western knowledge; not through integration or assimilation of one within another but have these knowledge systems stand side by side working collaboratively to create a schooling system that is both inclusive and effective in enabling the San to expand their knowledge beyond their environment. The San are aware that they are losing their ancient culture and the TTF is aware that we need to learn from them before it’s too late. Currently, we are inviting international conservation graduate students to partner with this San community in a reciprocal relationship and have reached out to a key stakeholder, the Ju/‘hoansi Development Fund (JDF), to ensure they will support the Nhoma San community’s vision for a schooling framework. Please let us know if you would like to participate in this pioneering educational project or support it now by giving a donation.

Barbara

Barbara Savage
Founder & Executive Director
Tribal Trust Foundation