Title: Study of the foundations of the differentiation of time and space from the perspective of indigenous knowledge of users of summer pastures (Case study: Rangelands of the Qaleh Miran region, Golestan Province).

Extended Abstract

Introduction

Indigenous knowledge is a collection of knowledge, practices, and beliefs. This knowledge originates from real needs, environmental possibilities, and limitations and is created through the interaction and harmony of indigenous people with their surroundings. This knowledge defines and classifies phenomena in specific physical, natural, and social environments. In fact, local people in various regions utilize it to meet their needs. These systems of knowledge and activities have been transmitted orally, through culture, rituals, and customs, experiential learning based on location, and recently in written form from generation to generation. It can be said that neglecting this knowledge leads to the destruction of the environment globally. One of the systems of indigenous knowledge is the classification of the components of place and environment based on the needs and living conditions in the place of residence, known as ethnoecology. This knowledge emphasizes the role of human understanding and cognition in systematic and regulated interaction with nature and encompasses a broad perspective that can be used to understand the resources of the living environment and sustainable management from the viewpoint of indigenous people. Overall, this field can be considered an interdisciplinary study of the dynamic relationships between people, living beings, and the environment, facilitating and creating a multi-faceted relationship between indigenous people and policymakers. It can also significantly help in understanding contemporary issues such as water scarcity, biodiversity loss, climate change, and land degradation.



Methodology

Free and semi-structured interviews and participatory observation methods were used to conduct this research. Information was collected, and interviews were conducted repeatedly from spring 2022 to summer 2023 in the region. All interviews were purposefully conducted with local experts. The initial identification of these individuals was facilitated by the researcher being a native, but to collect accurate information, the snowball method was used to select these individuals. Interviews on each topic continued until no new information was added to previous ones. Thus, the quality of the interviews was confirmed by the repetition of similar responses from different interviewees. In this study, a total of 40 people were interviewed, including 28 men and 12 women, with ages ranging from 35 to 87 years. Most interviews were conducted in the natural environment of the indigenous people during observation and participation, as this facilitated a better understanding of the respondents’ statements and made it easier for the researcher to record this information. Additionally, to shorten the interview time and prevent respondent fatigue, their voices were recorded with their permission, which allowed their information to be documented in both written and audio-visual formats.

Results and discussion

The results of the research conducted in the Qaleh-Miran region indicate that the local people of this area have particular expertise in recognizing the components and elements of their natural environment and using them. They know all these components well and assign specific names and classifications to each. These names have special meanings for them, all rooted in the culture and beliefs of the local communities of this region, learned from their ancestors. It was also found that the people of this region classify the components of their environment into different categories based on various factors such as temperature, climate, land surface features, elevation, land use, soil type, sun exposure, vegetation cover, types of roads, geographical directions, and the availability of conditions for agriculture and livestock maintenance or grazing. Another result of this research is that, given the agricultural and pastoral nature of the inhabitants of this region, the role of time and calendar in their lives is more prominent than in other areas. They had daily and annual calendars for each task. For example, they considered specific times for moving livestock from warm to cold areas or vice versa, recognizing livestock activities based on weather changes, planting, and harvesting crops, determining prayer times, fasting during Ramadan, milking, and even sometimes making tools from tree wood. The most important discussion in analyzing the above findings is the deep and rich knowledge of the local people about the types of soil in their living environment. They recognize all the soils in their living environment and classify and name them based on characteristics such as color, texture, depth, moisture content, softness, or hardness.







Conclusion

Based on the stated points, it was found that indigenous knowledge and ethnoecology play an undeniable role in the daily activities and lives of the local people of this region. This knowledge can be considered the knowledge of utilizing resources according to ecological, cultural, and social conditions, which these people have used to meet their past and present needs. Additionally, because it results from centuries of human experience and life, it contains valuable information and is non-structured and unwritten, requiring protection and documentation to preserve these valuable treasures for future generations. Moreover, indigenous knowledge can be optimally used alongside modern knowledge, as the use of both formal and indigenous knowledge together leads to local and national development and can create a way for indigenous people to participate in this process.