Dreams and data: integrating indigenous knowledge into multi-hazard early warning systems in coastal Mozambique

Purpose To examine how indigenous knowledge intersects with formal early warning systems in cyclone-prone Mozambique, and how these interactions shape risk perception, trust and community preparedness within the EW4All agenda. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative case study was conducted in 24 coastal communities. Purposively selected key informants were interviewed, transcripts were translated and thematically analysed, drawing on PADM and SARF to interpret warning uptake. Findings Communities interpret dreams, environmental cues and ancestral guidance as legitimate indicators of impending hazards. When these align with scientific alerts and are relayed by trusted leaders, credibility increases and protective actions occur earlier. Research limitations/implications Findings are derived from a single district and a qualitative sample, which limits their generalisability. Future research should test hybrid warning approaches comparatively and evaluate behavioural outcomes using mixed methods. Practical implications Embedding local leaders in dissemination pathways, documenting indigenous indicators, and co-producing messages with meteorological services can improve trust, comprehension and timeliness of community responses. Social implications Recognising indigenous knowledge promotes inclusion, strengthens last-mile communication and builds locally legitimate systems that better reach vulnerable groups often underserved by purely technical warnings. Originality/value The study reframes indigenous knowledge as an operational early warning asset, demonstrating how hybrid systems can enhance anticipatory governance when aligned with EW4All principles.