IED1501
Assignment 2 2026
Unique number:
Due date: 19 June 2026
QUESTION 1
1.1.1 Indigenous Knowledge
Indigenous knowledge refers to the practical understanding, skills, beliefs and values that
local communities develop over many generations through living closely with their land,
animals, plants, rivers and seasons. This knowledge is normally passed from elders to
children through daily practice, stories, rituals, observation and oral teaching, instead of
being written only in books. It helps people know when to plant, which plants can be used for
medicine, how to protect water, and how to behave responsibly towards nature. In African
communities, this knowledge has supported wise environmental use through practices such
as selective harvesting of medicinal plants, crop rotation and careful use of grass for
thatching. (Shava, 2019:19)
1.1.2 Totem
A totem is a natural symbol, often an animal, plant or other part of nature, that represents a
, QUESTION 1
1.1.1 Indigenous Knowledge
Indigenous knowledge refers to the practical understanding, skills, beliefs and values
that local communities develop over many generations through living closely with
their land, animals, plants, rivers and seasons. This knowledge is normally passed
from elders to children through daily practice, stories, rituals, observation and oral
teaching, instead of being written only in books. It helps people know when to plant,
which plants can be used for medicine, how to protect water, and how to behave
responsibly towards nature. In African communities, this knowledge has supported
wise environmental use through practices such as selective harvesting of medicinal
plants, crop rotation and careful use of grass for thatching. (Shava, 2019:19)
1.1.2 Totem
A totem is a natural symbol, often an animal, plant or other part of nature, that
represents a family, clan or community and helps people understand their identity
and duties. In many African societies, a person does not treat the totem as an
ordinary object because it is connected to ancestry, respect and belonging. When a
clan is linked to a certain animal, members may avoid killing, eating or disturbing that
animal, which can also help to protect species from careless destruction. In this way,
a totem is not only cultural, but it can also guide people to live with nature in a more
respectful way. (Sinthumule, 2023)
1.1.3 Taboos
Taboos are community rules that forbid certain actions because those actions are
believed to bring harm, disrespect ancestors, disturb social order or damage nature.
These rules may not always be written down, but people take them seriously
because they are supported by culture, fear of punishment, respect for elders and
belief in spiritual consequences. In environmental education, taboos are important
because they can stop people from cutting sacred trees, polluting rivers, killing
protected animals or entering sensitive places without permission. Taboos therefore
work like traditional laws that control behaviour before serious damage is done to
people or the environment. (Shava, 2019:58)
Assignment 2 2026
Unique number:
Due date: 19 June 2026
QUESTION 1
1.1.1 Indigenous Knowledge
Indigenous knowledge refers to the practical understanding, skills, beliefs and values that
local communities develop over many generations through living closely with their land,
animals, plants, rivers and seasons. This knowledge is normally passed from elders to
children through daily practice, stories, rituals, observation and oral teaching, instead of
being written only in books. It helps people know when to plant, which plants can be used for
medicine, how to protect water, and how to behave responsibly towards nature. In African
communities, this knowledge has supported wise environmental use through practices such
as selective harvesting of medicinal plants, crop rotation and careful use of grass for
thatching. (Shava, 2019:19)
1.1.2 Totem
A totem is a natural symbol, often an animal, plant or other part of nature, that represents a
, QUESTION 1
1.1.1 Indigenous Knowledge
Indigenous knowledge refers to the practical understanding, skills, beliefs and values
that local communities develop over many generations through living closely with
their land, animals, plants, rivers and seasons. This knowledge is normally passed
from elders to children through daily practice, stories, rituals, observation and oral
teaching, instead of being written only in books. It helps people know when to plant,
which plants can be used for medicine, how to protect water, and how to behave
responsibly towards nature. In African communities, this knowledge has supported
wise environmental use through practices such as selective harvesting of medicinal
plants, crop rotation and careful use of grass for thatching. (Shava, 2019:19)
1.1.2 Totem
A totem is a natural symbol, often an animal, plant or other part of nature, that
represents a family, clan or community and helps people understand their identity
and duties. In many African societies, a person does not treat the totem as an
ordinary object because it is connected to ancestry, respect and belonging. When a
clan is linked to a certain animal, members may avoid killing, eating or disturbing that
animal, which can also help to protect species from careless destruction. In this way,
a totem is not only cultural, but it can also guide people to live with nature in a more
respectful way. (Sinthumule, 2023)
1.1.3 Taboos
Taboos are community rules that forbid certain actions because those actions are
believed to bring harm, disrespect ancestors, disturb social order or damage nature.
These rules may not always be written down, but people take them seriously
because they are supported by culture, fear of punishment, respect for elders and
belief in spiritual consequences. In environmental education, taboos are important
because they can stop people from cutting sacred trees, polluting rivers, killing
protected animals or entering sensitive places without permission. Taboos therefore
work like traditional laws that control behaviour before serious damage is done to
people or the environment. (Shava, 2019:58)
