Indigenous knowledge systems and environmental management. It has been argued that as africa enters into a new phase of knowledge development, disciplines like social work are equally asked to rethink their methods and theories to embrace this emerging challenge. During several centuries of conquest and invasion, european systems of medicine were introduced by colonisers. The use of indigenous knowledge has been seen by many as an alternative way of promoting development in poor rural communities in many parts of the world. African indigenous knowledge systems and relevance of higher education in south africa. The independence of south africa from apartheid in 1994 ushered in a new era where indigenous farming would no longer be alienated by the majority of south africans magoro 2004. In addition, the indigenous knowledge bill is an enabling instrument for the indigenous communities of south africa to exercise their sovereign and. Namibias recent past as a colony of south africa created a formal negative attitude toward ik by. International journal of african renaissance studies multi, inter and transdisciplinarity. Culture, indigenous knowledge systems and sustainable. Why indigenous knowledge has a place in the school science. Indigenous knowledge systems are a body of knowledge, or bodies of knowledge of the indigenous people of particular geographical areas that they have survived on for a very long time.
The role of indigenous knowledge systems in addressing. Movements since 1992 and the 21st of august is now recognized as the commemoration. In 2001 the indigenous knowledge systems iks focus area programme fap was established with ringfenced funding from the department of science and technology dst to hasten the development of the field and managed by the national research foundation nrf. Indigenous knowledge systems and their relevance for sustainable development. Colonialism created dependence on western knowledge systems and africa has over the years neglected its own rich indigenous knowledge. This paper explores the role of indigenous knowledge systems iks in addressing the problem of declining. The paper argues that they were impediments to the preservation of approaches that were employed in the training and learning by members of african societies because of the secrecy that surrounded how the processes were conducted.
The call for the interfacing of iks with other knowledge systems is based on tenets. Such an exploration will engender a better understanding of these experiences. A critical view of education in an african context anders breidlid oslo university college, po box 4, st. Indigenous knowledge systems ik as holistic knowledge and in which humans, nature and the spirit world are all. The continent of africa is richly endowed with diverse cultures, a body of indigenous knowledge and technologies. In other words, the society had to succumb to the dictates of the environment in order to survive. The use of indigenous knowledge in development university of. In zimbabwe and among the shona people, traditional herbal medicines have historically been used as primary treatment for main.
Ik is embedded in a dynamic system in which spirituality, kinship, local politics and other factors are. A case of southern africa find, read and cite all the. Here, i give a brief summary of the literature on african indigenous technical knowledge divided into three sub themes. African indigenous knowledge systems and relevance of higher. Indigenous knowledge systems iks refer to the complex set of knowledge, skills and technologies existing and developed around specific conditions of populations and communities indigenous to a. Indigenous knowledge systems crossing epistemological. The central idea of this article is based on the presumption that social workers should intervene in a. The above kiswahili quotation, said to me during fieldwork by a smallscale farmer in coast region in tanzania, translates into english. The role of indigenous knowledge in drought risk reduction. This paper exposes some of the indigenous knowledge systems iks that have been practised immemorial by the kalanga people of zaka district in masvingo in order to manage and protect their environment from land degradation.
An inaugural lecture by anwar osman centre for africa studies 1. Indigenous knowledge is the local knowledge that is unique to a given culture or society. Indigenous knowledge and climate change in africa indigenous knowledge systems and climate change management in africa 5 acronyms acp african, caribbean and pacific bbmfs butha bothe machobane farming system bbnmfs butha bothe nonmachobane farming system caf cancun adaptation framework cbd central business district ccaa climate change adaptation in africa cof climate. Indigenous knowledge or african knowledge, here used interchangeably, is experiential knowledge based on a worldview and a culture that is basically relational. The article ends with a series of conclusions that highlight the reawakening of interest in the african knowledge system. Goals and outcomes resolving theoretical and conceptual issues about the identity of african indigenous knowledge systems aik is in fact one of the many challenges confronting african philosophers, historians, anthropologists and educators. African indigenous knowledge systems and human rights. Indigenous knowledge is a wisdom that develops within a particular culture and specific geographical area and has been orally transmitted from one generation to another through art, songs. African indigenous worldviews and knowledge systems, and proceeds to.
Indigenous knowledge and climate change in africa indigenous knowledge systems and climate change management in africa 5 acronyms acp african, caribbean and pacific bbmfs butha bothe machobane farming system. Why indigenous knowledge has a place in the school science curriculum july 15, 2015 12. Juxtaposing postcolonial theory by jacob mapara jacob. The integration of african indigenous knowledge systems aiks into the higher educational system could improve its relevance. As in many places, ik is contextsensitive, so it and its application vary according to the context and the people. These bodies of knowledge and technologies that are indeed embodied in the diverse african cultures are as old as humankind. Affirmation of african cultural values in the face of globalisation. Preexisting african systems were stigmatised and marginalised. While demonstrating that there is indeed an african indigenous knowledge and that it is multifaceted and dynamic, it also hints by way of many loops in the articles, at the need for ongoing and further research. Pdf on jul 3, 2007, ndangwa noyoo and others published indigenous knowledge systems and their relevance for sustainable development.
Indigenous knowledge systems and alaska native ways of knowing. They are viewed in some quarters as somehow inherently primitive appiah opoku, 2006. Whilst unearthing the complexities and challenges associated with iks. This not withstanding, the african knowledge system persists albeit marginally and has sustained many lives this far. Protecting and preserving indigenous knowledge the mail. Indigenous knowledge must be harvested for development. Indigenous knowledge, cultural values and sustainble development in africa.
This paper sought to highlight challenges faced in the quest to incorporate ik into developmental goals and projects. In 2001 the indigenous knowledge systems iks focus area programme fap was established with ringfenced funding from the department of science and technology dst. Indigenous knowledge systems and the curriculum springerlink. Recently indigenous knowledge systems have been given more attention as their importance is addressed in development projects. In we present various perspectives on african indigenous knowledge systems aik from a wide range of scholars. Implications for higher education, based on the south african experience.
With insufficient government funding to mitigate the impacts of agricultural drought, 1 the use of indigenous knowledge systems remains a viable option for developing economies to reduce drought impacts agrisa 2016. Introduction 15 indigenous knowledgebased vegetable garden projects in lekgophung village in the northwest province of south africa. Finally, the paper argues that iks is also in some way, some form of the former colonised getting back at the former colonial powers and their knowledge systems, and asserts that the. Project muse culture, indigenous knowledge and development. This looked mainly at the role of an individual in society. Indigenous people and their indigenous knowledge systems including those in africa have been formally recognized by the united nations, and the civil and human rights.
Indigenous knowledge systems were denied the chance to systematise and develop. This view is based on the absolutisation of indigenous knowledge systems of africas indigenous people and the perception. Indigenous knowledge is a body of knowledge, skills and technology, which belongs to a particular geographical community. Pdf indigenous knowledge systems and their relevance for. We publish brief extracts from scholarly works on the subject and also make selected videofilms, on the subject, available. Some teachers argue that science is a more powerful system of knowledge than indigenous.
The current situation in africa is that theory has been given a nominal role in defining practice in education shouler, 2008. The indigenous people in namibia have long traditions of applying ik. Director, dstnrf centre in indigenous knowledge systems, university of kwazulu. Towards an africa philosophy of education for indigenous. Trends and challenges of traditional medicine in africa. Relevance for africa, tribes and tribals special pp. South africa is a multicultural society with diverse indigenous cultural communities. Culture, indigenous knowledge systems and sustainable development. Protection, promotion, development and management of.
Apparently, indigenous knowledge systems iks are now being unjustly negated. This new interest is due in part to the persistence of elements of the african knowledge systems despite the. Pdf african indigenous knowledge and research researchgate. Indigenous knowledge, indigenous epistemologies, alaska native education, native science a few years ago, a group of alaska native elders and educators were assembled to identify ways to more effectively utilize traditional knowledge systems and ways of knowing embedded in native communities as a means of enriching the school. Although african indigenous knowledge systems aiks have existed for thousands of years, their concept and practice began to emerge in the science spheres only three decades ago. Prospect of integrating african indigenous knowledge systems.
Farmers, communities and households that live in risky environments, have developed. Indigenous knowledge points to the fact that africa has been able to generate, test and apply knowledge through its own methodologies and approaches. Development of the services provided by traditional healers contribution of indigenous knowledge to the economy. African indigenous education vary from one place to another, the goals of these systems are often striking. African indigenous knowledge systems and relevance of.
Indigenous knowledge and sustainable development in africa. The knowledge of and uses of specific plants and animals for medicinal purposes often referred to as indigenous or tm is an important component of african indigenous knowledge systems aiks kaya, 2007, p. African indigenous knowledge and research owusuansah. Doc indigenous knowledge, cultural values and sustainble.
Indigenous peoples cultures and their respective knowledge systems have been largely misunderstood or even dismissed by development planning experts in. African indigenous knowledge systems professor gloria emeagwali introduction in the first part of the paper, we examine conceptual issues associated with indigenous knowledge systems ik, including the nature of the intersection between science and ik. Examples of iks such as ayurveda from india and acupuncture from china are well known. It explores what these experiences are, the ratonale behind their occurance and why these experiences are taking place. Pdf afrikan indigenous knowledge systems nakato lewis. Theoretical frameworks and indigenous knowledge systems. Prospect of integrating african indigenous knowledge systems into the teaching of sciences in africa. Jan 16, 20 much research has been done on indigenous knowledge systems iks at african universities but the results are inaccessible as they remain scattered all over in researchers offices, yet ik plays a. This paper details the importance of indigenous knowledge systems in developing countries around the world.
The garden projects were initiated by rural women to use their local knowledge of farming and indigenous plants to alleviate their poverty situation. The spirit of the african worldview includes wholeness, community and harmony which are deeply embedded in cultural values. While ik research originally emphasized indigenous technical knowledge of the environment, it is now accepted that the concept of ik goes beyond this narrow interpretation. The protection, promotion, development and management of indigenous knowledge act 6 of 2019 intends. Indigenous knowledge and developing countries innovation. The information is usually disseminated late and in unfriendly languages with technical jargon that limits the uptake of such warning information mapfumo et al. Indigenous knowledge systems for appropriate technology. Allans 1965 the african husbandman is fundamentally a text on the standard development. African journal of indigenous knowledge systems iajiks. There is therefore a need for donors and development agencies to support africa s development through its indigenous knowledge systems. African indigenous education was organized and administered the way the learners could easily adapt to it.
The indigenous knowledge systems iks policy was adopted by cabinet in november 2004, thus laying in place the first important milestone in our efforts to recognize, affirm, develop, promote and protect indigenous knowledge systems in south africa. Ik covers diverse areas of importance for society, spanning issues concerned with the quality of life from agriculture and. Furthermore, the ncrst established the national council for indigenous knowledge systems nciks in 2014 to facilitate indigenous knowledge systems in all sectors and enhance, recognize, develop, and promote the value and role of indigenous knowledge and technology for development and advise education, practices and intellectual property right. Based on this discrepancy, it is the role of this paper to explore the dynamics of how theoretical frameworks can be aptly interrelated with indigenous knowledge in an. An intergral part of these systems are the knowledge systems that help households plan for future events and decrease uncertainty. African indigenous systems foster constructive change from the personal, rational, structural and cultural dimensions in order to construct good relations among societies. Indigenous knowledge systems iks comprises knowledge developed within indigenous societies, independent of, and prior to, the advent of the modern scientific knowledge system msks. Jul 27, 2017 smallscale farmers and ruralbased communal farmers were especially vulnerable. Indigenous knowledge systems iks comprise knowledge systems that have developed within various societies independent of, and prior to, the advent of the. African indigenous knowledge and social work practice. Nuffic of the netherlands created an indigenous knowledge unit in the early 1990s and it used to regularly publish reports, especially on africa. Indigenous knowledge in the namibian innovation system. African indigenous knowledge systems and relevance of higher education in south africa indigenous knowledge systems as a tool for making higher education relevant to the developmental challenges in south africa and african at large muya, 2007.
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