Empowering Indigenous Communities Through Livelihood Transformation and Local Knowledge Integration

Abstract

This community engagement project focused on exploring the shifting livelihood practices of an indigenous community facing historical marginalization and cultural erosion. Centered on the Danuwar community of Tama Ghat, Nepal, the initiative adopted a multi-paradigmatic approach combining autoethnography and critical ethnography to understand and support local transformations. It documented how land scarcity, elite domination, and globalization have compelled the community to adopt alternative livelihood strategies, such as wage labor, seasonal migration, and small-scale entrepreneurship. While infrastructure development has improved material conditions, it has also accelerated the decline of traditional agricultural knowledge and endangered cultural identity. The program emphasized the co-construction of knowledge with community members, advocacy for land rights, and the revitalization of indigenous practices. Outcomes revealed a complex interplay between resilience and loss: although living conditions have improved, the sense of identity remains under threat. This project highlights the importance of integrating local wisdom into development efforts to foster inclusive, sustainable, and culturally grounded livelihoods.