Broadening the debate : the Tharaka participatory action research project

Can we distinguish different types of indigenous knowledge? What are the main characteristics of such types? What is the meaning of sustainable development seen in this light? And how does this affect the research approach used? After a theoretical elaboration on different types of knowledge, this article presents a tentative answer to all these questions. It is based on the Tharaka participatory action research joint project and focuses on the integration and professional development of indigenous medical knowledge.