RESPONSIBILITY TO HEED THE CALL THROUGH A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE: THE INFLUENCE OF INDIGENOUS WISDOM
Keywords:
agroecology; re-generative power of performative research, metalogue, ecological justice, water and soil security, multispecies relationality, social justice.Abstract
The paper is in the form of a metalogue with the participants of a community of practice. Together we reflect on what it means to heed the call of the earth from Indigenous custodians of sacred rivers and forests in the Vhembe district in Venda, South Africa. The lead author is also the facilitator of a network and hub to inspire transformation in Venda. We discuss the expansion of an organisational network, which involves organic farmers, trainers from an international organic farmers organisation; and community engaged university-aligned researchers, who have all made a difference to food security in Venḓa. This is achieved through joining a community of practice which expands on indigenous knowledge networks. We show how an agroecology approach resonates with indigenous ways of knowing and that mutually enriching learning through using a metalogue approach enables systemic praxis (where people in their thinking and practice recognise their connectedness with one another and with the more-than-human-world). Our focus is on zero hunger and poverty and the importance of water and soil security.
