The role of women in indigenous knowledge

Abstract

In recent years, issues related to Indigenous Knowledge (IK) have been gaining global recognition. However, while both indigenous women and men play vital roles in IK, the role of women has been largely overlooked. This paper, based on a Masters program study, explores and highlights the role of women in IK in a Bidayuh village, Kampung Semban in Sarawak, Malaysia. Specifically, the study focuses on women's IK related to farming practice and farming related activities, since IK is very much embedded in indigenous people's daily activities. Kampung Semban women's IK is mainly of a gendered nature, which is closely related to the gender division of labor. This paper discusses how the change in gender division of labor has impacted upon indigenous women's IK