Examples are local classifications of soils, knowledge of which local crop varieties grow in difficult environments, and traditional ways of treating human and animal diseases. Communities identify problems and seek solutions to them in such local forums, capitalizing on indigenous creativity and leading to experimentation and innovations. Successful new technologies are added to the indigenous knowledge system. Indigenous forms of communication are vital to the preservation, development and spread of indigenous knowledge. Approaches to Indigenous Knowledge Six underlying views of IK were reflected in the symposium.
Some individuals lean towards one view without necessarily rejecting the validity of the others.
The six views might be conveniently labelled as those of the scientist, the development agent, the facilitator, the conservationist, the political advocate and the capitalist. Brief stereotypes of each follow. Little of this wisdom has been recorded or validated by the scientific method. Most is localized, is transmitted orally, and is typically not codified. The scientist recognizes this and wishes to understand and incorporate all knowledge in the scientific corpus.