CULTURE OF RESILIENCE AND LOCAL-LEVEL ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE IBAJI COMMUNITIES IN KOGI STATE, NIGERIA, AND THE BEDEY (MANTA) COMMUNITIES IN JORAKHAL, BHOLA,

Marginalized communities often bear the brunt of climate change, largely due to structural inequalities in governance, resource distribution, and cultural recognition. This study investigates the cultural and environmental resilience strategies of two flood-prone communities like the Ibaji communities in Kogi State, Nigeria, located at the confluence point of the Niger and Benue Rivers, and the Bedey (Manta) communities in Jorakhal, Bhola, Bangladesh, who live in dynamic deltaic river environments. Both groups regularly face flooding, displacement, and socio-economic challenges, yet they respond in unique ways, influenced by their cultural practices, social ties, and local knowledge. By employing a comparative ethnographic approach, this research combines visual ethnography, semi-structured interviews, and participatory observation, all analyzed through thematic coding using NVivo. The study reveals how environmental marginalization seen in infrastructure shortcomings, governance neglect, and repeated flooding intersects with cultural marginalization, which includes the decline of traditional livelihoods, festivals, and local wisdom. What set this research apart are its cross-continental perspective, connecting culture, marginalization, and resilience in two regions facing similar vulnerabilities. This contributes valuable insights to the discussions on climate justice, political ecology, and culturally-informed adaptation. The findings suggest that collective adaptation strategies, blending of knowledge, and governance rooted in local contexts can bolster resilience, even in the face of systemic neglect. The policy recommendations stress the importance of inclusive adaptation frameworks, participatory governance, and safeguarding cultural heritage as vital elements for climate-resilient development.