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Indigenous knowledge in seasonal rainfall prediction in Tanzania: A case of the South-western Highland of Tanzania

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dc.creator Chang’a, L. B.
dc.creator Yanda, Pius Z.
dc.creator Ngana, J. O.
dc.date 2016-03-11T07:53:07Z
dc.date 2016-03-11T07:53:07Z
dc.date 2010-04-01
dc.date.accessioned 2018-04-18T11:50:07Z
dc.date.available 2018-04-18T11:50:07Z
dc.identifier Chang'a, L.B., Yanda, P.Z. and Ngana, J., 2010. Indigenous knowledge in seasonal rainfall prediction in Tanzania: A case of the South-western Highland of Tanzania. Journal of Geography and Regional Planning, 3(4), p.66.
dc.identifier 2070-1845
dc.identifier http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/851
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/10549
dc.description Full text available at http://search.proquest.com/openview/c37e2519021a867311275c213dc68008/1?pq-origsite=gscholar
dc.description This paper describes how farmers in the South-western Highland of Tanzania predict rainfall using local environmental indicators and astronomical factors. The perceptions of the local communities on conventional weather and climate forecasts were also assessed. The study was conducted in Rungwe and Kilolo districts in Mbeya and Iringa regions respectively. Participatory rural appraisal methods, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were used in data collection and the collected data was analyzed using Statistical package for social science. It has been found that plant phenology is widely used by local communities in both districts in seasonal rainfall forecasting. Early and significant flowering of Mihemi (Erythrina abyssinica) and Mikwe (Brachystegia speciformis) trees from July to November has been identified to be one of the signals of good rainfall season. The behaviour of Dudumizi bird has been singled out as one of the best indicator for rainfall. Both Indigenous Knowledge specialists and TMA experts have predicted 2009/2010 rainfall season to feature normal to above normal rainfall. Systematic documentation and subsequent integration of indigenous knowledge into conventional weather forecasting system is recommended as one of the strategy that could help to improve the accuracy of seasonal rainfall forecasts under a changing climate.
dc.language en
dc.publisher Journal of Geography and Regional Planning
dc.subject Climate variability
dc.subject Seasonal forecasting
dc.subject El Nino
dc.subject Indigenous knowledge
dc.subject Dudumizi
dc.subject Tanzania
dc.title Indigenous knowledge in seasonal rainfall prediction in Tanzania: A case of the South-western Highland of Tanzania
dc.type Journal Article, Peer Reviewed


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