Indigenous and scientific knowledge: the choice and management of cultivation sites by bedouin in Upper Egypt

This paper investigates the ways in which some bedouin in the Nubian Desert of southeastern Egypt take decisions about both the choice of site for cul tivation and the subsequent management of their soils. It explores the comp lementarity of formal and informal sciences and how each might profitably i nform the other. Results show that the bedouin understand the physical limi tations and nutrient supply properties of soils, but not aspects such as pH . Decisions on the choice of cultivation site are often made with regard to other perceived risks, such as soil loss and intermittent inundation, rath er than just soil quality It is also apparent that there exists among bedou in a plurality of indigenous knowledge mediated by factors such as experien ce, wealth levels, household circumstances and production priorities. Under standing indigenous knowledge is essential in helping to develop better use of the soil in this area, about which little is known and which has only a short history of small scale cropping.