LETHNOMETEOROLOGIE A LEPREUVE DES CHANGEMENTS CLIMATIQUES AU SAHEL : CAS DU CERCLE DE DIEMA AU MALI

Africa possesses valuable knowledge in all fields. It is generally considered not to meet the criteria of science. Yet, the farming community identifies with this local knowledge. Like others, the rural population in Mali relies on this popular knowledge for practical needs. Thus, this study focuses on local climate knowledge faced with climate change in the Malian context, particularly in the Diema district. To conduct this research, a mixed methodology was used, integrating tools for collecting both quantitative and qualitative data. Accordingly, the questionnaire and interview guide were sent respectively to the population and resource persons to gather data on the effects of climate change on ethnometeorology in the Diema district. The results of this research show that the farmers in the Diema district have developed centuries-old knowledge about the climate. These endogenous knowledges, considered ethnometeorological, are based on empirical observations, generally of plants, animals, and celestial bodies. However, this research also reveals that climate change has disrupted ethnometeorological knowledge in the Diema circle. Many forecasts do not come true, and this is acknowledged by the farmers.