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A Climate Girl in Africa

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We humans are causing climate crisis.

A Climate Girl in Africa

I "Predict" Climate Change with Indigenous People in Kenya

Zhang Xiaohan

COP27

The 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Egypt on November 6, 2022, was the first climate conference held in Africa after 2016. Therefore, the COP27 whose theme was Together for Implementation was also called The African COP.

Climate change has brought great challenges to the world, especially Africa. In addition, Africa faces threats of other problems, such as poverty, famine, war and diseases. Climate change "superimposes" the negative effects caused by the existing threats, which makes the impact of climate change on the African continent more serious than other continents. Those indigenous peoples and local communities in forests, mountains, grasslands and deserts are facing greater crises caused by climate change. However, they are not completely indifferent. They do not just wait for external assistance. The rich biodiversity on the African continent is a resource that they rely on for generations to survive. The relevant traditional knowledge formed on the basis of biological diversity is their "weapon" to cope with natural disasters and natural changes for thousands of years. This "weapon" has not failed in the era of global climate change. It is the most effective and cheapest means for them to cope with climate change.

Nagani Climate Action Laboratory

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I arrived in Kenya on August 1, 2022. I went to the Nagani Climate Action Laboratory we and the local indigenous people had jointly established. Our climate action laboratory was established in the Nagani community, so it is called Nagani Climate Action Laboratory. The Nagani community is a branch of the relatively large Abaserkwi people in Bangyor. They are mainly distributed in Imahaya, Visiga County in western Kenya and in the west of Bangyor. For generations, the Nagani community has accurately predicted extreme weather using the local knowledge and skills, such as floods, droughts and famines that once ravaged the region. The community has accumulated and developed knowledge and skills to help them observe the environment and find relevant rainfall indicators. The knowledge used by Nagani aborigines to predict rainfall is neither myth nor witchcraft, but a valuable resource that is worth studying, understanding and protecting. Some events have formed and strengthened the community's belief in traditional rituals. These ceremonies are an important part of the rainfall prediction process. The Nagani community is famous for its skills in monitoring, forecasting and early warning of the climate risks that it will face. The local experts in charge of rainfall in the community can make or prevent rainfall. They can not only prevent hail and storms from destroying crops, but also choose the place where the lightning strikes. Their abilities are based on many biological, physical, social and astronomical indicators, but their methods also combine metaphysical and spiritual paradigms. The metaphysical perspective means that people can communicate with the creator of mankind, "God", because people know that God has the means and ability to intervene in any natural event, including "climate change".

After arriving at the Nagani community, I could not wait to learn about the traditional knowledge of local people to “predict” climate change. However, the old chief of the tribe told me not to worry. He said that I should first understand the history of Nagani and where the magic “prediction” ability came from. I went to the home of the old chief of the tribe and sat side by side with him, listening to the remote myths and legends of the tribe.

Nagani

“Once upon a time, Nagani was a person's name. His ability to make rain was given to him by a weather-beaten widow. This helpless widow from the south of Niansa was welcomed by Namuniva, Nagani's father. They spent a happy and peaceful time together. When she knew that she was dying, she told Namuniva that she wanted to take Nagani as her son and wanted to teach him to make rain to pray for him for their hospitality they had given her. One day, the widow invited Nagani to take a walk in the forest. On the way to the forest, Nagani took a knife with him. He cut some flowers and leaves from different types of trees at the instruction of the widow. The widow crushed the flowers. She asked Nagani to pour some water into the pot and put the crushed flowers into the pot.She told Nagani to use a pipe to blow in a pot containing water and crushed flowers. Bubbles floated from the pot into the air. When he looked up, he found that the bubbles had turned into drizzle. The widow told him that it was a gift for him to pass on from generation to generation. After that, Nagani went to various tribes to make rain in the dry season every year. So people could harvest all kinds of food crops. Nagani was called the "rainmaker" by the villagers of the tribe and he also became the rule of the tribe. Our community is also named after him.”

After listening to the story, I asked the old chief of the tribe if he was also a “rainmaker” and how a “rainmaker” predict the climate change. With a mysterious smile on the face, the old chief said, “The myth about the ‘rainmaker’ Nagani and his ability to predict the weather are handed down from generation to generation in the tribe. There are still ‘rainmakers’ in Nagani. I am one of them. It is a major point of view of rainmakers to actively address the climate change. We forecast the weather with the traditional knowledge. We observe trees, birds and insects in the holy land because they play a key role in weather prediction. We also predict weather based on temperature changes and changes in animal behavior, such as dog barking and bird singing. We also observe the way the leaves of trees fall and others. The holy land of Nagani, located in the sacred forest, is our observation center. We observe there even in the night.”

“There are two types of rainfall prediction methods in Nagani community. One is for short-term rainfall and the other for long-term rainfall. However, the method used in the two cases is the same, but the difference is that the time reserved for prayer is slightly different. In each case, a ram and a brown rooster are needed in the prediction process. The prediction pot should be placed in a specific place in the holy land.The special herbs needed in the rain prediction process should be collected by the elderly, and the water should be collected by a virgin from the stagnant water source that meets the special requirements. The herbs need to be mashed and mixed with water and the blood from the ram and the rooster in a pot. Then, people use reed pipes to blow the mixture. This stage begins at about 4:30 p.m. on each prayer day after praying for the souls of ancestors. Prayers should face the east when blowing the mixture in the pot. They can see the reflection of bubbles blown out in the pot. The color, size, moving direction, residence time and other characteristics of bubbles are important components of the rainfall prediction process.

The rainfall prediction in Nagani depends on the monitoring of the changes in the local natural environment.The monitoring is mainly carried out at the indigenous observation station, known as the holy land. The plant and animal populations in the holy land are the basis of rainfall observation and prediction. The holy land is the most important institution for preserving the traditional knowledge and customs of Nagani, so it is considered as a sacred natural place. Taboo and indigenous management regulations stipulate that these places can only carry out specific activities, and restrict the access of community members. Many sacred places have been preserved for hundreds of years. They have become important biodiversity resource pools. These natural shrines also contribute to national identity. They play a key role in the culture and lifestyle of local communities. In every holy land, there are special trees, three traditional stones on which there is a pot for prediction, a traditional stool and other small objects. In the past, sheep, goats and even roosters were essential core items for rainfall prediction, and these animals were considered as part of the sacrifice. According to the elders of the Nagani community, these holy places are the expression of spirit and the bridges connecting the temples and the greater mysterious things than the temples themselves.

After investigating the traditional knowledge of the Nagani community to predict climate change, I decided to work with other staff of the Nagani Climate Action Laboratory and local indigenous peoples to carry out community actions and practices to address climate change based on the relevant traditional knowledge of biodiversity. Community climate action is a process of helping local people improve their ability because they can learn from practice.

climate

Climate Action

we faced the challenges and crises caused by climate change with the villagers in Nagani community

First

We analyzed the challenges and crises caused by climate change with the villagers in Nagani community, and conducted SWOT analysis and ranking scoring to select the most serious threat factors of climate change that the local villagers felt.

Second

We selected and identified the coordinators of the communities. The local experts as “rainmakers” are always the best coordinators. The villager climate action research groups in tribes have also been founded and the local experts work as the leaders.

Third

The villager climate action research groups in tribes carry out investigations on the biodiversity resources and climatic conditions around the tribes. In addition, they are responsible for recording and collating traditional knowledge related to climate change and biodiversity, especially the traditional knowledge for predicting climate change.

Fourth

We encourage the young people in the tribes to learn the traditional knowledge and let traditional knowledge continue to be passed down in the communities.

Fifth

We are ready to establish a climate change fund and microcredit to facilitate the sustainable development of the communities.

In addition

I will also try my best to take the stories told to me by the old chief of tribe, their traditional knowledge of "predicting" climate change, and their wishes and appeals to deal with climate change to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Peace Forum, so that the world can hear the voices of the indigenous peoples and the local communities as much as possible.

Stop climate change

A Climate Girl in Africa

97% of climate experts agree.
We humans are causing climate crisis.