Cooperatives Role in Protecting Indigenous Crafts – A Case Study of Shorobe Botswana

The thesis investigates the role of cooperatives in the protection and conservation of indigenous crafts and indigenous knowledge, using the Shorobe Basketry and Multipurpose Cooperative as a case study. The purpose of this Multipurpose Cooperative is to ensure the sustainable preservation of the cultural heritage for future generations. The scholarly literature reveals that the increasing significance of cooperatives stems from their perceived suitability as business models that not only generate employment but also foster social inclusion, socio-cultural development, and economic advancement, guided by democratic principles. Notably, the Shorobe Basketry Cooperative has been producing indigenous crafts using natural resources since its inception in 1995. However, the absence of structured systems to facilitate the strategic transmission of skills in making indigenous crafts and the transfer of the associated indigenous knowledge raises concerns about the sustainability and continuation of these traditions. This investigation adopts a case study research method using a qualitative approach that allows an in-depth exploration of the studied phenomenon. The selection of a qualitative case study as a methodology is based on its ability to offer a comprehensive understanding of a phenomenon. Additionally, a nonprobability sampling technique (purposive sampling) was used to select knowledgeable research participants for in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Data collection used semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, while on the other hand the thematic data analysis supported by the NVivo data analysis software was employed to analyse the captured information. Some of the key findings of the study revealed that the use of baskets evolved with the times. For instance, the arrival of the commercialisation era brought about the establishment of cooperatives, which gradually eclipsed individual sellers. Furthermore, there was a strong willingness to engage in a collaborative decision-making process aimed at promoting, strengthening, and reinforcing cultural identity through structured knowledge transmission in order to prioritise protection of indigenous crafts and preservation of indigenous knowledge.