10/18/2024
18 OCT 2024
Today I was reading an email string that was discussing how to deal with indigneous knowledge and "conventional science." There were issues with the idea of "integrating" indigineous knowledge, with one person suggesting "weaving" instead. I responded with:
Some Hawaiians refer to the accumulation of knowledge as filling the ʻipu ʻike [knowledge gourd], and that an ignorant person’s gourd is either empty or filled with worthless things.
Weaving is always a nice metaphor of including elements that together offer great strength and utility, while keeping those elements distinct.
But the mixing of fluid elements in the gourd appeals to me as well. Some items mix well, while others, like oil and water, might not mix readily, but can nonetheless both be added to the gourd, and contribute to its filling. Ahh… metaphors.