Indigenous Gendered Practices and Beliefs for Climate Mitigation in Bududa and Bulambuli Districts, Eastern Uganda

This paper examines how indigenous knowledge systems and proverbs, which promote peace and social harmony, can serve as pathways to contemporary peacebuilding. Participants were selected from two case studies: Bulambuli and Bududa in the Bugisu region of eastern Uganda, severely affected by mudslides and volcanic eruptions. An ethnographic study, through in-depth interviews, reveals tensions that spread from the family to the wider community. Importantly, the Gishu strongly uphold traditional knowledge and heritage for revitalizing social harmony. This includes recognizing women in the traditional extended family institutions as key in nurturing character through conflict prevention. The article supports this position by arguing against any stereotypes that reinforce marginalization of women as passive victims of conflict situations. It recommends creating a forum for strengthening family solidarity by invoking the positive aspects of traditional Gishu knowledge that facilitates meaningful participation of both men and women in reforming peace in landslide-affected communities

Climate change · Ethnography · Indigenous · Negotiation · Solidarity · Traditional knowledge · African history and culture analysis · Peace and Human Rights Education · Peacebuilding and International Security