Indigenous knowledge of seasonal weather forecasting
could be useful in decision making at
village level to best exploit the seasonal distribution
of rainfall in order to increase or stabilize
crop yields. We examined existing indigenous
knowledge by interviewing 192 households in
six regions of Uganda. Twenty one distinctive
indicators were mentioned by local communities
for forecasting the start of the dry season, but
only few of these indicators were more consistently
and frequently used in the different districts.
These included the appearance of bush
crickets (Ruspolia baileyi Otte), winds blowing
from the east to the west, the appearance and
movement of migratory birds such as cattle egrets
(Bubulcus ibis Linnaeus), and calling by the
Bateleur eagle (Terathopius ecaudatus Lesson).
For prediction of the start of the rainy season, 22
indicators were mentioned and these included
winds blowing from the west to the east, cuckoo
birds (Cuculiformes: Cuculidae) start to call, and
winged African termite (Coptotermes formosanus
Shiraki) swarms leave their nests. Predictors of
rain in the following days included presence of
red clouds in the morning. Together with the meteorological
forecasts, traditional indicators could
be very useful in rain forecasting and improving
the timing of agricultural activities.