Indigenous knowledge in flood disaster risk reduction in Kaduna Town Nigeria

Abstract

In the year 2003, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 58/124 which specifies that there is a need for enhancing education regarding the use of indigenous knowledge for disaster risk reduction. In relation to flood control, over the years, most attention has been given on the use of structural and non-structural approaches. Thus, this study adopts a qualitative phenomenological approach, using Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and semi-structured interviews to explore indigenous knowledge for flood disaster risk reduction in Kaduna floodplain. The data generated was analysed using Nvivo 11 software. The analysis of the FGDs revealed that the major flood adaptation strategy in Kaduna is community work. The analysis also revealed that waste dumping in drainages was found to be the major environmental problem. This is related to community work involving local drainage construction, which causes blockages. Additionally, solutions were proposed for the effective use of indigenous flood adaptation strategies, in which public enlightenment was proposed as the means of resolving major waste dumping in local drainages. In addition, it was found in the analysis of the interviews that the major indigenous flood early warning signs identified in Kaduna floodplain are by the weather such as continuous downpour, black thick cloud and position of clouds. These are not based on meteorological stations but on past experiences of living with flood disaster in the floodplain of Kaduna. Also, the analysis indicates various indigenous coping techniques in relation to farming, such as early farming, buildings with raised foundation and relocating animals to safer places. The findings of the study are integrated to form a model that promote civic participation with the use of bottom up approach for flood disaster risk reduction. This study can assist the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency in policy formulation relating to enhancing civic participation in flood disaster risk reduction alongside structural and non-structural approaches.