Monsoon Cultures: The Effects of the Monsoon on Cultures and Ecosystems around the Western Indian Ocean in an Era of Climate Change

’Monsoon Cultures’ intends to investigate how the monsoon affects culture and nature in the coastal regions around the western Indian Ocean, in particular in relation to climate change, and how this can generate insights into how people and societies relate to and act upon climate challenges and change. The project focuses on three selected areas that are particularly affected by the monsoon, namely Kerala (India), Zanzibar (Tanzania), and Dhofar (Oman). At all three sites, the project will carry out ecological studies, through remote satellite sensing as well as collection of samples from vegetation, rain and effects on animal life. At the same time anthropological field work and historical archival studies will reveal how people and societies are affected by and relate to changes of the monsoon, including a focus on the community of Dawoodi Bohras, building on previous research.