Indigenous People and the Meaning of the Construction of Disaster Information Literacy Based on Local Wisdom

Abstract

Indonesia is one of the countries that faces numerous disasters,
with the recent increase largely attributed to the worsening effects
of climate change. This study aimed to map out the experiences
and meanings of indigenous communities regarding disaster information
literacy based on local wisdom in facing the threat of
global climate change. It uses an interpretive paradigm with a
phenomenological approach. Data collection techniques comprised
in-depth interviews, focused group discussions, and participatory
observations. The results showed that the indigenous
peoples have the capacity to maximise their cultural assets to reduce
disaster risks. In disaster crisis situations, these indigenous
communities use their local wisdom to strengthen their capacity
to deal with various threats such as droughts and floods. Second,
cultural aspects determine the preparedness of indigenous
peoples to face various risks of climate change. Therefore, they
build an understanding that one of the effective ways to mitigate
disasters is to use culture-based local wisdom. They also perform
traditional rituals as a form of prayer when the crisis intensifies.