The role of indigenous knowledge in seasonal weather forecasting and response to climatic stressors
Insights from the Maasai agro-pastoralists in Northern Tanzania
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21792181 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Moson Koika Moti (0009-0001-7475-8274, University of Dar es Salaam, corresponding author), Noah M Pauline (0000-0001-6560-2932, University of Dar es Salaam), Joel Nobert (0000-0002-6537-9950, University of Dar es Salaam) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 18 |
| Issue | 6 |
| Pages | 555-573 |
| Publication date | 2026-07-03 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Climate and Development (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1756-5529 • E-ISSN: 1756-5537 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/17565529.2025.2579629 |
| OpenAlex | W4415765328 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 30 |
The Indigenous Knowledge of the Maasai has proven valuable in helping Maasai communities in the Monduli district deal with livelihood threats caused by climate change. This study examines how agro-pastoralist Maasai communities use their indigenous knowledge to forecast seasonal weather and adapt to climatic challenges. The study used various data collection methods, including 315 household surveys, 12 focus group discussions, 25 key informant interviews, field observations, and secondary data obtained from government records. The data was analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics. The study found that Maasai agro-pastoralists utilize traditional experts, such as star readers (Ololakiri), intestine readers (Olomanyiti), and diviners (Oloiboni), to predict the onset and end of the rainy seasons. About 71.1% of respondents frequently use traditional calendars to track the entire year. Most respondents (56.2%) mentioned that indigenous knowledge is more reliable for forecasting seasonal weather in semi-arid regions. Better documentation of Maasai IKS is crucial for improving accuracy and building resilience among agro-pastoralist communities. There is a critical need for integrated models that combine indigenous knowledge and scientific methodologies to enhance community preparedness and decision-making in climate change adaptation
Climate change · Indigenous · Maasai · Pastoralism · Tanzania · Traditional knowledge · Ethnobotanical and Medicinal Plants Studies · Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Agriculture · Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
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| Highly cited | No |
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