Ancestral Sustainability

This chapter examines how ancestral peoples’ worldviews relate to the concept of sustainability, in particular, to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The term ‘ancestral’ here is used as an umbrella for indigenous, local and traditional peoples. Many differences between ancestral and modern views start at the contrasting perspective these peoples have about human-nature relationships. Thus, this chapter discusses the concepts of biocultural diversity and relational values as key to understand equivalent notions of sustainability for ancestral peoples. Then, a number of practical and philosophical cases whereby modern society learns, incorporates and co-produces with ancestral knowledges are presented. The chapter describes both practical sustainable examples (related for instance to cultivation practices, eating habits) and principles of sustainability that emerge from their spiritual beliefs. Finally, it discusses gaps in the SDG in relation to ancestral aspirations and the need for dialogues that better incorporate this diversity of perspectives and rethink some of the existing objectives framework.