Participatory Mapping
Participatory mapping is an exercise that uses spatial analysis to gather information about a range of issues and concerns. In conventional mapping, the trained outsider draws a map of the village or territory. In participatory mapping, community members themselves are asked to do the drawing. Outsiders who have not tried the participatory method are often surprised to find that people with no formal education can draw maps that are both quite accurate and very illuminating. In drawing participatory maps, the primary concern is not with cartographic accuracy, but rather with gathering useful information that sheds lights on whatever situation you are studying in the community. It is often one of the first activities that is carried out when the team arrives in the village because it is a lively “ice breaker” that helps to put both the team and the community in a participatory mode. It also provides information that the team (especially if it is not very familiar with the community) needs in order to be functional and to find its way about. How to do a Participatory Map Before beginning the mapping activity, the team should brainstorm its checklist of the issues that team members would like to see covered in the map and discussion that follows. This checklist should remain in the background as the activity gets underway, however, and the team should begin by asking the villagers present to indicate the important landmarks that they feel are important to show on a map. It is important to begin with the villagers’ own priorities since these will be revealing of their perspectives and priorities. Only when the villagers have completed the Types of issues that might be map as they would like to see explored using a participatory map: it, should the team intervene and ask about its issues.
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Village landmarks
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Village social structure (e.g. the organization of quartiers)
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Settlement patterns
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Markets
Village infrastructures: water, health, education, food storage, community buildings
Information on livelihoods and places that are important to livelihoods Relations with other villages Dwelling places of village authorities or specialists (e.g. chief, midwife, health worker, etc.)
To begin the map, clear a large open area, ideally outside where there is plenty of space to expand as needed. Mapping on paper is often an exercise in frustration since it is hard to erase and redraw. Furthermore, the edge of the paper restricts the size and scope of the drawing. The best medium for mapping is a large space of open ground,
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