#local knowledge

Paper is linked in the title (free to read) - I highly recommend reading all of it, but a couple stand out quotes are below:

"Rather than enlighten and save humanity, wilderness thinking has facilitated the perverse outcome of landscapes being idealized, imagined, and managed as intact, high-value biodiversity areas free from human disturbance.

In many respects, such narrow interpretations of forest landscapes have justified the inhumane eviction of Indigenous and local peoples from their homelands following annexation as parks and protected areas, driving dispossession and conflict similar to the colonial period across the Americas, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Australia."

. . .

"It is past the time to abandon the wilderness trope, to deprioritize disembodied notions of objectivity and universality, and to embrace situated Indigenous and local knowledge systems in scaled and relational approaches to ecosystem and landscape management . . .

One of the most overlooked but invaluable tools when dealing with supernatural beings—fae or otherwise—is local knowledge. Folklore isn’t just “stories”; it’s a practical survival manual that’s been field-tested over generations. No matter how much you’ve read in books or online, there’s no substitute for the insight of people who have lived alongsidethese entities for centuries.

If you’re traveling—or even moving to a new region—make an effort to befriend a trusted local who’s willing to talk about “the old ways.” Even the most skeptical residents will often remember one or two “silly” rules from childhood that, conveniently, happen to match older myths. Those rules may be the difference between walking home safe and never walking home at all.

🌊 Examples of Entities and Local Survival Tips

Here are just a few examples from around the world where local advice could save you from an unpleasant supernatural encounter:

Hawaiian Night Marchers (Huakaʻi Pō) – Ghostly processions of ancient Hawaiian warriors who march along traditional paths at night.

Tip from locals: If you can’t get away from the path, lay face down on the ground, appear submissive, and avoid eye contact. The idea is to show respect and non-interference so they pass you by without harm.

Tikbalang (Philippines) – Tall, horse-headed trickster spirits known for leading travelers astray in the forest.

Tip from locals: Wear your shirt inside out to confuse them, or ask politely to pass through their territory. Some say carrying a protective charm like a small bundle of ginger also works.

Nale Ba (India) – A wandering spirit in some southern regions that calls out to you at night in the voice of a loved one.

Tip from locals: Don’t answer the door. In some areas, people write “Nale Ba” (“come tomorrow”) on their walls to keep the spirit away.

Duppies (Caribbean) – Mischievous or malevolent spirits in Jamaican and other Caribbean folklore.

Tip from locals: Keep salt in your pockets or near your bed, as salt is said to repel them. Avoid speaking ill of the dead at night—it’s believed it invites them closer.

Haints (Southern United States) – Restless spirits that wander, especially in the Lowcountry and Appalachian regions.

Tip from locals: Paint your porch ceiling “haint blue” to confuse or repel them, making them think it’s the sky or water (both barriers they supposedly can’t cross).

Certain Yokai (Japan) – From fox spirits (kitsune) to faceless Noppera-bō, local traditions have detailed “do” and “don’t” lists.

Tip from locals: Don’t stare too long at strange phenomena, and don’t pick up abandoned items in rural areas—many are considered “bait” for spirit tricks.

📜 Why Local Knowledge Works

It’s rooted in lived experience – Even if embellished, these stories often start from repeated encounters and patterns.

It accounts for local geography & customs – An Appalachian haint and a Japanese yūrei might both be “ghosts,” but how they behave—and how to deal with them—is vastly different.

It’s already adapted for survival – These tips are designed to be quick, practical, and easy to remember under stress.

🔑 Practical Takeaway

Before you head into an unfamiliar area—whether it’s rural farmland, dense jungle, or a historic district with a ghostly reputation—ask the people who live there:

“What’s the weirdest old superstition you still follow?”

“If I ran into something strange, what’s the one thing I should do?”

With an economy largely underpinned by irrigated crops like rice, water is a crucial resource in Thailand. But as climate change exacerbates floods and droughts in the country, sustainable water management is an increasing challenge.

Nature-based solutions that incorporate the natural processes of the country’s abundant rivers, floodplains and watershed forests are beginning to be trialed via various projects at large and small scales.

A new report assesses the efficacy of two nature-based approaches to water management in Thailand, which represent a step away from the country’s typically top-down, hard-engineering approach and present several benefits to the environment and communities.

However, environmental and societal tradeoffs, complex policy frameworks, and the need for greater understanding and expertise around the concept, design and implementation of nature-based approaches are barriers to their widespread implementation.

By

Wonga Masiza

Researcher, Agricultural Research Council

To understand the extent, causes and impact of communal land change, we analysed a series of historical satellite images from 1989 to 2019 and conducted interviews with locals. Instead of interviewing experts and leaders, the study measured the most common perceptions among community members.

As far as we know, this study is one of the first in South Africa to combine satellite data and local perceptions. This offered a more complete view of communal land change, and valuable insights on its impacts.

We suggested some ways in which this land could be managed better to provide ecosystem services and livelihoods.

Snippet

Satellite imagery from 1989 to 2019 revealed increases of the sweet thorn tree (Vachellia karroo) by 25% and the residential area (2.5%). It showed declines of grazing land (18%), cropland (9.6%) and dams (1.1%).

The land can be better managed through interventions by village committees, tribal authorities and extension services, and by following spatial planning and land use guidelines..