Collective memories, jargons, rituals and perceptions: Toward a broader scope and general recognition of Pengetahuan Lokal in disaster preparedness

Department/Unit

Center for Social Concern and Action

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Source Title

10th API Regional Workshop for Fellows

Publication Date

11-2011

Abstract

With the mounting disaster incidents in the world, particularly in vulnerable countries, disaster policies and plans were formulated to minimize the risk. However, most of the policies addressing vulnerabilities often overlook the knowledge and practices on the grassroots level, Concurrently, initiatives to document local knowledge and practices have been selective to and capitalized on those that can only be merged with scientific knowledge. Thus, the socio-cultural and historical local knowledge, which influence the way people think and perceive disasters have been widely discounted in disaster risk reduction (DRR) literature policies.
Taking to account the case of Mt. Merapi in Indonesia, the paper explores and documents the local knowledge pertaining to disaster preparedness. More pointedly, the collective memories, jargons and concepts on disasters, rituals and perceptions of the dwellers on volcanic eruptions will be looked into, analyzed, and weaved to underscore how local people make sense of their world, which shape their understanding and response to natural hazards.
The data were gathered from focus group discussions, review of secondary literature, and over 90 interviews. In the wake Mt. Merapi's eruption that took place during the research activities, media reports and evacuees were likewise consulted.

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Disciplines

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Keywords

Emergency management; Hazard mitigation

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