Reclaiming Palestinian Native Culture through Explorations in Women’s Knowledge: A Study of the Impact of Colonialism on the Relationship between Palestinian Women and Nature رسالة ماجستير

Abstract

This research delves into the multifaceted impact of Israeli settler colonialism on Indigenous Palestinian women, focusing on their deep-rooted connection with their natural surroundings, particularly theire connection with Indigenous land. This research studies the enduring consequences of colonial trauma and gendered colonial violence, including the colonial impact on the diverse indigenous systems of knowledge, and traditional and cultural practices. Nature and natural surroundings in this study stand for the ecosystems, biodiversity, human and non-human elements of the world. This research addresses the following question: How does Israeli settler colonialism impact Indigenous Palestinian women's relationships with nature, and what are the implications on Indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage? Through qualitative interviews and a Narrative inquiry approach, the study analyzes and explores the Narratives of Indigenous Palestinian women, uncovering the patterns of gendered oppression, restricted access to land, and the destruction of physical, cultural, and environmental heritage. This study highlights the intersectionality of women's experiences, emphasizing the interconnectedness of gender, colonialism, and environmental degradation. The findings underscore the resilience and resistance demonstrated by Indigenous women of Palestine in reclaiming their identities, Indigenous knowledge system, and cultural practices despite ongoing settler colonial violence. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding colonialism's impact on Indigenous women and the imperative of putting women's VI Narratives in the center for a more holistic and decolonial discourse. While this study focuses specifically on the impact of ISC (Israeli settler colonialism) on Palestinians, it acknowledges the broader context of colonialism's effects on Indigenous communities globally and the necessity of a decolonial approach in Indigenous research and practice.