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Empowering Indigenous Knowledge: UNESCO launches intersectoral project with Hadzabe community in Tanzania
91麻豆国产精品自拍 officially launched an intersectoral project titled 鈥淪upport Hadzabe Community on Intergenerational Transmission of Knowledge, Skills, Culture, Data and Language鈥, bringing together the Natural Sciences, Culture, and Communication and Information sectors. This initiative aims to bridge indigenous knowledge systems with modern technology through a collaborative approach that centers on empowerment, sustainability, and cultural preservation.
The Hadzabe community have long used indigenous knowledge in tracking. The introduction of CyberTracker technology will ease their work and aligns with government policies to empower local communities.
The launch event took place on 5 May 2025 in Arusha City, followed by a practical orientation on CyberTracker technology on 6 May, and a field training with the Hadzabe community in Yaeda Chini Valley from 7鈥10 May 2025.
This project was made possible through partnerships with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, the National Commission for UNESCO of the United Republic of Tanzania, Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, Tanzania National Parks, Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, Commission for Science and Technology, Arusha Regional Secretariat, Karatu and Mbulu District Councils, and Ujamaa Community Resource Team (UCRT).
During testing, questions were raised on ownership of the technology. It is advised that the technology be hosted by a government institution like Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, which already manages similar systems. NATCOM will continue to support this important initiative.
The primary beneficiaries of this initiative are the Hadzabe community, with a focus on youth and women. The training introduced 40 community membersto the CyberTracker mobile application, a tool that integrates indigenous wildlife tracking knowledge with geospatial technology. These trainees will serve as Trainers of Trainers (ToTs), passing on their skills to a broader group within their villages. By the end of the project, 400 Hadzabe individuals are expected to be trained in using the CyberTracker technology.
The capacity-building activities are designed to empower the Hadzabe people with digital tools that complement their traditional tracking skills, increasing employability and recognition within both public and private sectors.
A key takeaway from the discussions was the importance of localizing and institutionalizing such technologies. As raised during the sessions, it is essential that solutions like CyberTracker be domesticated and hosted by Tanzanian institutions to ensure long-term sustainability of data management and ownership.
UNESCO played a central role in coordinating, organizing, and facilitating the launch, orientation, and field training sessions, working closely with national and local partners to ensure the activity鈥檚 success.
UNESCO hopes that the project cooperation between Africans, between rural communities, and between speakers of Africa鈥檚 oldest languages, provide new energy, new opportunities and new resources for rural empowerment and sustainable development.
As this intersectoral initiative progresses, it stands as a model for blending traditional knowledge with modern innovation, showcasing how inclusive approaches can uplift indigenous communities while preserving and celebrating their unique cultural heritage.
