1) The document discusses the Maasai concept of "Triple Health" in Kirya Ward, Tanzania which refers to the health of the environment, livestock, and humans. 2) It notes the Maasai have extensive ethno-botanical knowledge of the local plants and their uses for food, medicine, and adapting to climate change. 3) Realizing the full potential of the area's semi-arid lands requires recognizing the cultural rights and knowledge of local communities to sustainably manage natural resources and prepare for future changes.

1. CoProduction of Triple Health
Knowledge
Concepts of the -Maasai in Kirya
Ward, Mwanga District, Tanzania.
– Meeting Post MDGs Challenges
Adolfo Mascarenhas, LInKS/REPOA
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
(adcamas@gmail.com mascar@udsm.ac.tz

2. There is a tendency to regard
DISASTERS as natural, or caused
by others.
Less Attention has been paid to the
way humanity has used Knowledge
to reduce risks
Globalization seems to be that a
very tiny minority who think &
speak on behalf of the others

3. Like and unopened rubic cube or just
OR……..
X2/LogX…
formulas

4. This Maasai Concept of Triple
Health to Avoid Disaster is 3 D
1) The Health of the Environment.
2) The Health of the Livestock.
3) Human Health

5. Realism &…..
Dynamic…..
…
Like A Rubic that has been played &
Formulas Replaced

6. The implications of Triple Health in
Kirya Ward to Tanzania
1) Underpinned by a Different Value
System For Resources
2) The Integrated Approach of Resource
Use
3) Like Tanzania, 2/3 of the District is
semi-arid. Popular View Kirya Ward is a
typical a SA – Dry, dusty, stony,
pastoralist livelihoods and poor
•
•

7. Figure 1 Triple Health & Use of Ethno botanic Knowledge For Climate Change Adaptation
FN MAASAI PLANT NAME Main & Subsidiary Uses Adaptation/Observation
s
Local & Scientific
Knowledge/
Opportunities for Cogeneration
Implication for research
02
Esitet ( Ph 2705. +) The tree is valuable
because its fruit are liked
by human being; the wood
makes good sticks to be
used only by elders.
Found with FN25
The soils around
acacia plants are
relatively fertile soils
because they have
nitrogen fixing
capacities. Some of the
acacia are remarkably
versatile and the range
of tolerance goes all the
way to the high altitude.
Adaptation to different
environmental
conditions is through
their leaves, root
system, morphology etc
The acacias more than other plants
are very diverse and are good
indicators of environmental
conditions & reflect long term
anthropogenic factors such the use
of fire, habitat for other life forms
D 25
Elwaai ( Ph 2705.
+Dp54))
Acacia drepanolobium
Several medicinal uses:2)
also to increase blood
supply of women who
have delivered.3) Roots
for relief from nausea, 4)
leaves for colds and sore
throats. 4) Elder only
allowed to use it as a stick
Variable from small
shrub to tree like
proportion, large alt
range 600 /2500 m,
hardpan or grey soils or
black cotton soils,
aromatic gums to
attract insects to
Fires can give shape to the acacia,
protection includes thick barks,
extrude gums and sap.

8. 04
Embalwa ( Dp74) 1 Bark releases considerable
amount of water. Therefore
insects seek refuge; 2) Goats
eat the seeds.
Used as an
emergency
water supply if
sign of
dehydration
Trees are host to a variety of
creatures
09
Olasiti Mkababu ( ) Fruit for fattening cattle but not for
goats, 2) long thorns makes good
fence …. 3) Fodder during dry
periods for sheep & goats
13 Obukoi Ph2704) Bark and roots used for treating
colds 2) added to milk or water
Grows alone avoids hills and forests
16 Endungui ( 1) Moisture from bark used to
ward off thirst
2) Fruit used at times by humans
In Elwaai what
ways does water
from differ from
Olasiti Mkababu
17 Nanu Deyo ( Leaves are good medicine for
treating problems of eyes 2)
Sheep feed on pods
Avoids wet areas grows in very dry
areas. Rats like its fruits
21 Engoswai Dp70) Goats like to browse on pods &
leaves 2) bark is used to treat
cuts is like iodine & heals,3)
branches convenient to cut for
fuel and other household needs;
Can be a shrub
or a large tree
Extract From Field Notes

9. Listening for Change

10. KIRYA is linked with the North Pare Mountains,
one of the 22 global endemic hotspots of the
world. The SAL have been less understood but
the tribal knowledge is remarkable.
The Full Potentialities of Kirya SAL can only be
realized if the communities have cultural rights
to resources, use them sustainably and are
prepared for change. The diversity &
opportunities have enormous implication to the
future
•
•

11. If There Are Human Beings There Must be Natural Resources
Only when you know nature well and respect it
that one learns to use Natural Resources Sustainably
Thousands of fingerlings and tadpoles are
safe and happy….. the young must be
protected
Past Geologic forces have given us quite a few
concentration of rock types including granite,
copper . iron, light & heavy clays
Wetlands in North Pare Mts with canoes… are they
fishing or using a short cut. Is the pond a
There are several different wetlands in Kirya.
Of what value are they? Three Professors, one

12. Potentialities of KIRYA SAL

13. TRIPLE HEALTH DOES NOT STAND
ALONE
1. Health of the Environment incorporates
a)ETHNOBOTANIC KNOWLEDGE OF MAASAI
b) Knowledge of Land/Water
c) Landscapes and safe zones
2. Health of the Livestock Linked with plants
3 Human Health & Well Being
Basically we are dealing with an
INTEGRATED SYSTEM

14. Why Co- Generation of Knowledge?
• The world is richer because human creativity ,
knowledge, imagination has fused, created new
opportunities. But it is more :
• 1) Its about vulnerability – Babies of the world
• 2) It is about risk reduction
• 3) Resilience
• 4) It is about taking care of Prejudices
• 5) It is about cooperation & new frontiers

15. Africans do not conserve, African
women destroy forests. The REDD
Solution
• For generations in the NPM individuals &
communities have preserved forests and used
them sustainably,
• African women do not cut trees for fun. They use
dried wood as an energy use. The solution is to
make available other sources!
• In its present form the REDD Solution is not really
in African interest. It has to be renegotiated

16. What are the risks of cooperating if
the outcome is enriching?

17. This paper seemingly jumps the gun
• In a continent torn apart by past exploitation one is
almost tempted to say NOT YET UHURU.
• While we reflect upon the MDGs and think upon the
sustainable future it makes sense to accommodate
change and not repeat mistakes
• Urbanization is making new demands, the income gap
is increasing……
• Science, Technology, Knowledge is creating new space.
• MWANGA DISTRICT & KIRYA WARD ARE SHOWPIECES
THAT ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT IS POSSIBLE

18. With improved Incomes through
Education
There is investment in Rural
Housing
SAL with irrigation inceases
production

19. The PEOPLE MWANGA & KIRYA
Demonstrate How Intervention Helps
• The District was deliberIa tely created.
• The long tradition of valuing “education” High
donations continues, across gender, beliefs etc
• Retention of the spirit of conserving nature
• Urbanization makes a difference
• Science, Technology, Knowledge is creating new
opportunities.
• SHOWPIECE because income levels even in rural
Kirya THAT ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT IS POSSIBLE
• Former Prime Ministers Msuya drive to ensure
Development

20. Ultimately It Is All About Triple
Health Not In Mwanga District
Alone the world over

21. We can see TRIPLE HEALTH in all
continents – Co-production