Traditional knowledge has been defined as 'the cumulative and dynamic body of knowledge, know-how and representations possessed by peoples with long histories of interaction with their natural milieu. It is intimately tied to language, social relations, spirituality and worldview, and is generally held collectively. Too often, it is simplistically conceived as a pale reflection of mainstream knowledge, in particular, Science.' (UNESCO: 2006)

Indigenous knowledge is the local knowledge that is unique to a given culture or society and which is usually passed down from generation to generation, by word of mouth. It is the basis for agriculture, fishing, health care, food preparation, education, carpentry, tool making, environmental conservation and a host of other activities. (SLARCIK: 1996: vii) Indigenous knowledge is the traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples, or local knowledge particular to an area, region or country, etc. Thus all indigenous peoples are traditional knowledge holders, yet all traditional knowledge-holders are not indigenous. (UNESCO: 2006) Then who are the traditional knowledge holders who are not indigenous?

References-

UNESCO (2006) Traditional Knowledge http://www.unesco.org/bpi/pdf/memobpi48_tradknowledge_en.pdf (last retrieved: 3 Feb 2013)

Sri Lanka Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (1996) Proceedings of the First National Symposium on Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Development. March 19-20, 1994. Colombo: Sri Lanka Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (SLRCIK)

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