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Alinejad Z, Forouzeh M R, Mohammadi Kangarani H, Yeganeh H. Analysis of Indigenous Knowledge Transfer Networks of Medicinal Plants in Shah Kuh Sofla Village, Golestan Province. serd 2025; 14 (53) : 2
URL: http://serd.khu.ac.ir/article-1-4075-en.html
URL: http://serd.khu.ac.ir/article-1-4075-en.html
1- Department of Rangeland Science, Faculty of Rangeland and Watershed Management, University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran
2- Department of Rangeland Science, Faculty of Rangeland and Watershed Management, University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran ,rfroozeh@yahoo.com
3- Department of Forest Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran.
4- Department of Rangeland Science, Faculty of Rangeland and Watershed Management, University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran & University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran
2- Department of Rangeland Science, Faculty of Rangeland and Watershed Management, University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran ,
3- Department of Forest Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran.
4- Department of Rangeland Science, Faculty of Rangeland and Watershed Management, University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran & University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran
Abstract: (2067 Views)
Objective: This study aims to examine how traditional knowledge regarding the use of medicinal plants is preserved among indigenous people and to analyze the learning and teaching networks of this knowledge in Shah Kuh-e Sofla village using a network analysis approach.
Methods: To identify indigenous knowledge transmission methods, the learning and teaching networks related to medicinal plants in Shah Kuh-e Sofla were analyzed using network analysis. Semi-structured interviews and participatory observations were conducted with 53 residents during the spring and summer of 2023 and 2024 (1402–1403 Iranian calendar). Common network indicators such as degree centrality, betweenness centrality, density, and MDS were calculated, and visualizations were produced using UCINET and NetDraw software.
Results: Results show that the majority of indigenous residents prioritize medicinal plants as their primary treatment for diseases and possess knowledge of their therapeutic properties and processing methods. Network analysis revealed that mothers and grandmothers hold key roles in learning networks, while children and daughters-in-law dominate the teaching networks. This suggests vertical, intergenerational knowledge transfer within family-based rural communities, highlighting the pivotal role of women.
Conclusions: Given the proven value and hereditary transmission of indigenous knowledge, its documentation, preservation, and continuation are essential. The methodology used can be applied in other rural and nomadic areas to identify key knowledge holders and enhance the effective preservation and transmission of valuable, region-specific traditional knowledge.
Methods: To identify indigenous knowledge transmission methods, the learning and teaching networks related to medicinal plants in Shah Kuh-e Sofla were analyzed using network analysis. Semi-structured interviews and participatory observations were conducted with 53 residents during the spring and summer of 2023 and 2024 (1402–1403 Iranian calendar). Common network indicators such as degree centrality, betweenness centrality, density, and MDS were calculated, and visualizations were produced using UCINET and NetDraw software.
Results: Results show that the majority of indigenous residents prioritize medicinal plants as their primary treatment for diseases and possess knowledge of their therapeutic properties and processing methods. Network analysis revealed that mothers and grandmothers hold key roles in learning networks, while children and daughters-in-law dominate the teaching networks. This suggests vertical, intergenerational knowledge transfer within family-based rural communities, highlighting the pivotal role of women.
Conclusions: Given the proven value and hereditary transmission of indigenous knowledge, its documentation, preservation, and continuation are essential. The methodology used can be applied in other rural and nomadic areas to identify key knowledge holders and enhance the effective preservation and transmission of valuable, region-specific traditional knowledge.
Article number: 2
Keywords: Indigenous Knowledge Transmission, Social Network Analysis, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Medicinal Plants, Shah Kuh Sofla.
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