The Samburu Bio-Cultural Community
Protocol:
Safeguarding
Livestock
Keepers Rights by Jacob Wanyama from
the LIFE Network Africa, Kenya
Mr.
Wanyama
introduced
his
presentation by highlighting that local
communities
are
creators
and
custodians of local livestock breeds. The
value is not only the livestock but also
the culture and the knowledge about
these specific breeds. However, this
guardianship role, which is based on
traditional knowledge and culture,
crucial to preserving a variety of species,
has been continuously undermined.
Mr. Wanyama described the Samburu as a pastoralist community of Northern Kenya and keeper of
the Red Maasai Sheep, an indigenous breed scientifically recognised for its unique genetic
capability to resist parasites much better than other sheep breeds. The Samburu Community
developed a BCP to enable them to flag their role in the creation and custodianship of a unique
breed of sheep and to demand the recognition of their rights to continue in this role.
The BCP was developed utilising a participatory approach that allowed the Samburu to put forward
their own views on rearing the Red Maasai Sheep and what they feel was the best way forward for
the sustainable use of this breed and protection of their traditional knowledge.
With the support from Natural Justice, the LIFE Network and the International Development Law
Organisations (IDLO), the information generated was used to develop a draft BCP. A feedback
workshop was organised during which the community members discussed and endorsed the
content of the protocol. The Samburu community also indicated that the BCP could be used as a
learning tool for their youth and to inform others of their contribution to the conservation of
biodiversity.
The BCP is written in both English and Samburu. It defines the Samburu as pastoralists living across a
number of districts in Kenya who are keepers of indigenous knowledge. It describes their way of life
how this is linked to and dependent
upon their breeds. The BCP indicates
that the Samburu feel that their way
of life and their indigenous breeds
have been consistently undervalued
and reports how the breeding
programmes
promoted
by
the
government, that sought to replace
or improve their breeds, have left
them particularly vulnerable.
The BCP also provides information on
Samburu community’s rights under
national and international laws,
explains how they would like to deal
with the concerns related to their
traditional lifestyles and calls on third
parties to seek for prior and informed
consent
and
enter
into
ABS
arrangements should they wish to
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