Indigenous Knowledge system Among Meemure Inhabitants: Kandy District, Sri Lanka

Indigenous knowledge (IK) is a set of knowledge belong to a specific group or a community which cannot be seen either in the mainstream or in a dominant society. The knowledge systems developed by the ancestors of these groups have transmitted this knowledge system to their succeeding generations. This knowledge system has shaped their traditional way of life and culture throughout the history. Meemure inhabitants are one of the minority groups in Sri Lanka that have remarkable indigenous knowledge system (IKS). The main objective of this study was to explore their valuable IKS as a whole. Thus, questioner survey, interviews and observation methods were used as data collecting methods. Though the village cultural heritage is rich in precious indigenous pertaining tangible and intangible cultural heritage those are at risk of disappearing at present with the effects of new technologies and innovations. Capturing these IK as much as we can and making documents, films and ethnographies are the best methods to safeguard this invaluable indigenous heritage.