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Understanding Africa Indigenous Knowledge

Year 2020, Volume: 2 Issue: 1, 22 - 31, 30.06.2020

Abstract

The educational system in Africa has been quite conflicting. This is because, we have been juggling between the English system of education and the French system which totally ignores the indigenous educational system that was in existence before colonialism. This article further examines how European system of Education ignores African indigenous heritage knowledge by citing practical examples on ancient African orthographies and mathematics. Thus, the article come up with that unless Africa designs its own curriculum for education system by customizing with African traditions and values ‘Epistemicide’ will continue to plague African generations.

References

  • Adebisi, F. (2016). Decolonizing education in Africa: Implementing the right to education by re-appropriating culture and indigeneity. Northern Ireland Legal Quarterly, 67(4), 433-451.
  • Airoboman F. and Asekhauno A. (2012). Is there an African Epistemology? JORIND 10 (3), December, 2012. ISSN 1596 - 8308. www.transcampus.org./journals, www.ajol.info/journals/jorind
  • Alemazung A. Joy (2010). Post-Colonial Colonialism: An Analysis of International Factors and Actors Marring African Socio-Economic and Political Development: The Journal of Pan African Studies, vol.3, no.10.
  • Dondolo, L. (2005). Intangible Heritage: The production of indigenous knowledge in various aspects of social life. In Indilinga: African Journal of Indigenous Knowledge Systems. Volume 4 Number 6. pp. 110 -126.
  • Eyong, C. T. (2005). Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Development in Africa: Case Study on Central Africa. In Emmanuel, K. Boon and Luc Hens (eds): Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Sustainable Development: Relevance for Africa. Published in Tribes and Tribals. Special Volume No. 1. pp. 121 – 139.
  • Hoppers, C.O. (2005). Culture, Indigenous Knowledge and Development: The role of the university. Centre for Education Policy Development. Occasional paper No. 5
  • Horsthemke, K. (2004). Indigenous Knowledge’- Conceptions and misconceptions. Journal of Education. No. 32. pp. 31- 48
  • Katola T., Michael (2014). Incorporation of traditional african cultural values in the formal education system for development, peace building and good governance. European Jouranl of Resarch in Soicial Science, vol, 2 no.3, ISSN, 2056-5429.
  • kaya O. Hassan& Seleti N. yonah (2014). African indigenous knowledge systems and relevance of higher education in South Africa. The International Education Journal: Comparative Perspectives, 2013, 12(1), 30–44 ISSN 1443-1475.
  • Kerr Jeannie(2014). Western epistemic dominance and colonial structures: Considerations for thought and practice in programs of teacher education. Decolonization: Indigeneity, Education & Society Vol. 3, No. 2, 2014, pp. 83-104
  • Masaka Dennis (2016). The impact of Western Colonial Education on Zimbabweès Tradational and Post-Colonial Education Systems. PHD thesis for doctor of literature and philosophy.
  • Mawere,Munyaradzi (2015). Indigenous Knowledge and Public Education in Sub-Saharan Africa, in: Africa Spectrum, 50, 2, 57–71
  • Nel, P. (2008) Indigenous knowledge Systems: Conceptualization and Methodology. Unpublished lecture (presented October, 21).
  • Noyoo Ndangwa (2014). Indigenous systems of governance and post-colonial Africa: The case of Barotseland. A paper Presented at the Conference on African Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Indaba Hotel, Fourways, Johannesburg, 8-9 May 2014
  • Progler, Y. (999).Towards defining Western research on Indigenous Knowledge. Muslimedia. (December issue). pp. 1 – 15.
  • UNESCO (ND). African Contributions to Science, Technology and Development.
  • The Slave Route Project, Collective Volume available at http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/CLT/pdf/P_Lovejoy_African_Contributions_Eng_01.pdf
  • Zeleza, P. T. (2006). The disciplinary, interdisciplinary and global dimensions of African Studies. In International Journal of African Renaissance Studies. Volume 1, No. 2. Pp. 195 – 220
  • Walter Rodney, (1972). How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, Bogle-L'Ouverture Publications,
  • Hugh Trevor-Roper, (1967). The Rise of Christian Europe (London: Jarrold and Sons ltd reprinted ED.) p.9
  • T. U. Nwala, (1992). Critical Review of the Great Debate on African Philosophy (1970-1990) (Nsukka: William Amo Centre for African Philosophy UNN) p.5
  • Onyewuenyi, I.C. (1993). The African Origin of Greek Philosophy, An Exercise in Afrocentrism (Nsukka: University of Nigeria Press Ltd ) p.39-40
  • Molefi Asante, (1991). “Putting Africa at the Center” Newsweek (23rd September) p.42
  • Lausana Keita, (2004). “Introduction to Philosophy and Development” African development, Vol. XXIX No1, p. 2-3. THE CHALLENGE OF INDIGENOUS EDUCATION: PRACTICE AND PERSPECTIVES; Linda King and Sabine Schielmann, Published in 2004 by the United Nations
  • Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Typeset by IGS-CP - 16340 L’Isle-d’Espagnac, Printed by Jouve, Mayenne. ISBN 92-3-103934-2, 2004 Critical Indigenous African Education and Knowledge; Itibari M. Zulu, Th.D., Amen-Ra Theological Seminary, Los Angeles,Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies
  • Library & Media Center, University of California, Los Angeles, 2008. Horsthemke, K. (2004). Indigenous Knowledge’- Conceptions and misconceptions. Journal of Education. No. 32. pp. 31- 48
  • Eyong, C. T. (2005). Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Development in Africa: Case Study on Central Africa. In Emmanuel, K. Boon and Luc Hens (eds): Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Sustainable Development: Relevance for Africa. Published in Tribes and Tribals. Special Volume No. 1. pp. 121 – 139.
  • Dondolo, L. (2005). Intangible Heritage: The production of indigenous knowledge in various aspects of social life. In Indilinga: African Journal of Indigenous Knowledge Systems. Volume 4 Number 6. pp. 110 -126.
  • Hoppers, C.O. (2005). Culture, Indigenous Knowledge and Development: The role of the university. Centre for Education Policy Development. Occasional paper No. 5

Understanding Africa's Indigneous Knowledge

Year 2020, Volume: 2 Issue: 1, 22 - 31, 30.06.2020

Abstract

The educational system in Africa has been quite conflicting. This is because, we have been juggling between the English system of education and the French system which totally ignores the indigenous educational system that was in existence before colonialism. This article further examines how European system of Education ignores African indigenous heritage knowledge by citing practical examples on ancient African orthographies and mathematics. Thus, the article come up with that unless Africa designs its own curriculum for education system by customizing with African traditions and values ‘Epistemicide’ will continue to plague African generations.

References

  • Adebisi, F. (2016). Decolonizing education in Africa: Implementing the right to education by re-appropriating culture and indigeneity. Northern Ireland Legal Quarterly, 67(4), 433-451.
  • Airoboman F. and Asekhauno A. (2012). Is there an African Epistemology? JORIND 10 (3), December, 2012. ISSN 1596 - 8308. www.transcampus.org./journals, www.ajol.info/journals/jorind
  • Alemazung A. Joy (2010). Post-Colonial Colonialism: An Analysis of International Factors and Actors Marring African Socio-Economic and Political Development: The Journal of Pan African Studies, vol.3, no.10.
  • Dondolo, L. (2005). Intangible Heritage: The production of indigenous knowledge in various aspects of social life. In Indilinga: African Journal of Indigenous Knowledge Systems. Volume 4 Number 6. pp. 110 -126.
  • Eyong, C. T. (2005). Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Development in Africa: Case Study on Central Africa. In Emmanuel, K. Boon and Luc Hens (eds): Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Sustainable Development: Relevance for Africa. Published in Tribes and Tribals. Special Volume No. 1. pp. 121 – 139.
  • Hoppers, C.O. (2005). Culture, Indigenous Knowledge and Development: The role of the university. Centre for Education Policy Development. Occasional paper No. 5
  • Horsthemke, K. (2004). Indigenous Knowledge’- Conceptions and misconceptions. Journal of Education. No. 32. pp. 31- 48
  • Katola T., Michael (2014). Incorporation of traditional african cultural values in the formal education system for development, peace building and good governance. European Jouranl of Resarch in Soicial Science, vol, 2 no.3, ISSN, 2056-5429.
  • kaya O. Hassan& Seleti N. yonah (2014). African indigenous knowledge systems and relevance of higher education in South Africa. The International Education Journal: Comparative Perspectives, 2013, 12(1), 30–44 ISSN 1443-1475.
  • Kerr Jeannie(2014). Western epistemic dominance and colonial structures: Considerations for thought and practice in programs of teacher education. Decolonization: Indigeneity, Education & Society Vol. 3, No. 2, 2014, pp. 83-104
  • Masaka Dennis (2016). The impact of Western Colonial Education on Zimbabweès Tradational and Post-Colonial Education Systems. PHD thesis for doctor of literature and philosophy.
  • Mawere,Munyaradzi (2015). Indigenous Knowledge and Public Education in Sub-Saharan Africa, in: Africa Spectrum, 50, 2, 57–71
  • Nel, P. (2008) Indigenous knowledge Systems: Conceptualization and Methodology. Unpublished lecture (presented October, 21).
  • Noyoo Ndangwa (2014). Indigenous systems of governance and post-colonial Africa: The case of Barotseland. A paper Presented at the Conference on African Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Indaba Hotel, Fourways, Johannesburg, 8-9 May 2014
  • Progler, Y. (999).Towards defining Western research on Indigenous Knowledge. Muslimedia. (December issue). pp. 1 – 15.
  • UNESCO (ND). African Contributions to Science, Technology and Development.
  • The Slave Route Project, Collective Volume available at http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/CLT/pdf/P_Lovejoy_African_Contributions_Eng_01.pdf
  • Zeleza, P. T. (2006). The disciplinary, interdisciplinary and global dimensions of African Studies. In International Journal of African Renaissance Studies. Volume 1, No. 2. Pp. 195 – 220
  • Walter Rodney, (1972). How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, Bogle-L'Ouverture Publications,
  • Hugh Trevor-Roper, (1967). The Rise of Christian Europe (London: Jarrold and Sons ltd reprinted ED.) p.9
  • T. U. Nwala, (1992). Critical Review of the Great Debate on African Philosophy (1970-1990) (Nsukka: William Amo Centre for African Philosophy UNN) p.5
  • Onyewuenyi, I.C. (1993). The African Origin of Greek Philosophy, An Exercise in Afrocentrism (Nsukka: University of Nigeria Press Ltd ) p.39-40
  • Molefi Asante, (1991). “Putting Africa at the Center” Newsweek (23rd September) p.42
  • Lausana Keita, (2004). “Introduction to Philosophy and Development” African development, Vol. XXIX No1, p. 2-3. THE CHALLENGE OF INDIGENOUS EDUCATION: PRACTICE AND PERSPECTIVES; Linda King and Sabine Schielmann, Published in 2004 by the United Nations
  • Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Typeset by IGS-CP - 16340 L’Isle-d’Espagnac, Printed by Jouve, Mayenne. ISBN 92-3-103934-2, 2004 Critical Indigenous African Education and Knowledge; Itibari M. Zulu, Th.D., Amen-Ra Theological Seminary, Los Angeles,Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies
  • Library & Media Center, University of California, Los Angeles, 2008. Horsthemke, K. (2004). Indigenous Knowledge’- Conceptions and misconceptions. Journal of Education. No. 32. pp. 31- 48
  • Eyong, C. T. (2005). Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Development in Africa: Case Study on Central Africa. In Emmanuel, K. Boon and Luc Hens (eds): Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Sustainable Development: Relevance for Africa. Published in Tribes and Tribals. Special Volume No. 1. pp. 121 – 139.
  • Dondolo, L. (2005). Intangible Heritage: The production of indigenous knowledge in various aspects of social life. In Indilinga: African Journal of Indigenous Knowledge Systems. Volume 4 Number 6. pp. 110 -126.
  • Hoppers, C.O. (2005). Culture, Indigenous Knowledge and Development: The role of the university. Centre for Education Policy Development. Occasional paper No. 5
There are 29 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Victor Moinina

Publication Date June 30, 2020
Published in Issue Year 2020 Volume: 2 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Moinina, V. (2020). Understanding Africa Indigenous Knowledge. Akdeniz Havzası Ve Afrika Medeniyetleri Dergisi, 2(1), 22-31.

Article acceptance continues forupcoming 2024 issues.