The article explores tatodi (death reporting) amongst the Batswana tribe, Bangwaketse. The Bangwaketse cultural practice of tatodi, also prevalent in other indigenous cultures, promotes botho (ubuntu) in terms of socialisation, sense of belonging, unity and identity among the communities. This is demonstrated by the clear-cut roles that elders such as the Chief, uncles and aunts play in tatodi by observing certain cultural protocols. The current social ills that threaten unity in communities put the cultural practices such as tatodi under the spotlight of moral and educational campus. Hence, sustaining such cultural practices can help restore culturally instilled morals. Keywords: Tatodi, botho, masori, cultural practices, Bangwaketse.
In Bapedi society, music permeates every aspect of life. Religion is not excluded therefore there can be no authentic unity in Bapedi society without including some aspects of music and religion. The study is based on an investigation of communal music-making in the Bapedi people’s cultural context; the relationship between music and identity within their cultural context; the impact of music and religion on their morals and ethical value systems; and the relationship between music and religion as part of their social setting within their cultural context. The collection of data includes oral interviews, publications and records. Results demonstrated that music and religion which are linked with rituals, ceremonies and social functions, connect people in a deep and powerful way and have traditionally played a prominent role in promoting cohesion and unity in Bapedi society. The study has also revealed that music and religion have a positive influence on the moral life of Bapedi people. The exposition of the study has shown that in Bapedi society the association of music, religion and dance, is a common feature of musical performances. It is concluded that music and religion are the most compelling, the most powerful, and the most glorious manifestations of Bapedi cultural heritage. Also that music and religion enable Bapedi people to achieve stable and peaceful concomitance within their environment Keywords: Bapedi music, African spirituality, Bapedi people, Religious beliefs, Taboos.
Decolonisation is meant to reverse the onslaught of colonisation. The project of colonisation was executed with the sole aim of not only undermining the indigene, but to render illegitimate the indigenous epistemology and relegate native ontology into oblivion. The missionaries for instance were sent as if Africans had no religion. It has however remained a paradox that Africans seem to have embraced the religion of the missionaries and even adapted it to African epistemology. The article, following the analysis of Tribal Laws, exposes the scheme of western colonisers in painting a gloomy picture about the ways of Africans. The Tribal Laws that are analysed are presented by Credo Mutwa. These laws are read alongside Biblical laws that resonate with them. Whilst Mutwa constantly bemoans the misunderstanding between Christians and the indigenous based on the application of the Tribal Laws, the analysis clearly shows that there are striking similarities between the Biblical text and the Tribal Laws, but the westerners who were responsible for colonisation deliberately barbarised Tribal Laws. Keywords: African Traditional Religion, Tribal Laws, Biblical Laws.
The promotion of African value systems such as Ubuntu within South Africa’s higher education and universities in particular, has been founded on the philosophy of acknowledging that these value systems exist within an internationalising higher education that features African and non-African value systems and epistemologies. Such an approach further acknowledges the historically entrenched disadvantages that define the institutional identities of some South African universities, especially those located in former homelands. Some higher education institutions have engaged in initiatives aimed at adapting international values into local spaces and processes through programmes that have included sending out South African students and academics whilst at the same time playing host to them. For South African universities, the hope has been to promote and preserve the South African identity whilst embracing epistemologies from other countries in Africa and beyond. The advent of internationalisation, particularly in higher education has however been marred by contradictions as the embracing of other epistemologies, students and academics has resulted in mixed sentiments within the South African students, academics and communities in general. It is these contradictions and the associated paradoxes that this explores. Keywords: Ubuntu philosophy, indigenous values, African value systems, internationalising higher education, South African academic, non-South African academics.
This article focuses on the application of Ubuntu, an African philosophical thought, to innovate human resources practices at the Sunyani Technical University in Ghana. The human resources practices in this institution follow the Western approach which ignores African values as important factor in human resources development. In the competition for qualified academic staff, among institutions of higher learning, this University should innovate its human resource practices to retain its best academics. The objective of the study was to advocate for innovative human resources practice based on Ubuntu (humanness) to retain Academic staff at the Sunyani Technical University. The qualitative research method of interview was used in data collection from twenty-two (22) purposively selected participants comprising fifteen (15) academics, five (5) heads of departments and two (2) human resources practitioners. The study revealed that the use of Ubuntu in human resource practices and development of academic staff might improve teaching and research skills of academics, increase their commitment and job safety at the University. The study recommended that in this era of Africa’s rebirth, higher educational institutions should integrate African values into their human resources activities as a strategy to transform their practices to become more African and to retain Academic staff. Keywords: Innovating, Human Resource Development, retention, Africanisation, Ubuntu.
Background: The indigenous beads-making industry in the Krobo communities in Ghana plays a significant role in improving the livelihood of rural dwellers and the national economy. However, studies have demonstrated that a host of indigenous industries in Ghana have been on the decline over the past century. Application of knowledge management (KM) methods to beads-making tacit indigenous knowledge (IK) can enhance the management and preservation of the industry in the same systematic manner as external knowledge. Objective: Being part of a PhD project, this study investigated how KM methods can be used to manage beads-making IK knowledge in the Krobo communities in eastern Ghana. Method: Qualitative data were collected using participant observation, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Data were analysed thematically, and extracted manually from the transcripts and summarised into various themes. Results: The findings of the study revealed that the socialisation process of the knowledge creation model was intensively practised in the beads-making communities to create and utilise knowledge, while the internalisation, combination and externalisation processes were practised at a low rate. On the contrary, organising 'ba' and dialoguing 'ba' were practised and found in the communities, while systematising 'ba' and exercising 'ba' were rarely practised. Conclusion: The study concludes that the knowledge creation model can be partially used to manage indigenous beads-making IK in the Krobo communities in Ghana. The study recommended, among other things, the need for officials of community radio stations, especially state-owned radio and the information centres in the local communities, to develop and broadcast programmes to disseminate information relevant to beads producers so that beads-making knowledge creation and development in the communities do not disappear, and that they should utilise storytelling, drama, traditional dance and singing competitions in the local languages to support the preservation of indigenous beads making.
This article critically deals with the complexities that are inherent in the understanding of some rituals found in African traditional religion (ATR) as practiced in Zimbabwe, specifically focusing on the Shona people of Buhera. Fieldwork and document analysis were used as data collection techniques to fully engage with the interpretive meaning and embodiment of the kuroora guva ritual within the contemporary society of Zimbabwe. The main thrust of the article, therefore, rests on kuroora guva, a ritualistic component of the ATR, which literally means marrying the grave or being involved in the practice of paying roora (bride price) for a dead wife. Keywords: African traditional religion (ATR), Shona, kuroora guva, ritual, Chivanhu, roora, mukwasha, vatezvara, commodification.
This article uses gender equality perspective in analysing and examining the selected Zulu proverbs that, directly or indirectly, suggest to perpetuate gender bias and inequality. In this regard, women tend to be portrayed and relegated to the submissive position in as far as social practices are concerned. The article suggests that the messages contained in the selected proverbs provide perpetual expressions of women as individuals who are diminished and depreciated to the submission level. The question of gender in traditional societies is habitually ignored in the cultural context for addressing gender inequality. The marriage institution is infiltrated with cultural norms and values that denigrate women’srights and dignity through some Zulu proverbs. The selected proverbs are informed by patriarchal norms which deny women the decision making processes in their marriages and the society at large. The interpretation of selected proverbs also portrays inequalities in the institution of marriage. While it is true that men enjoy privileges, women are denied such privileges by cultural norms and practices. The article adopted a qualitative approach, specifically to critically analyse the selected Zulu proverbs which are genderbiased. It followed a critical book analysis, a book titled “Zulu Proverbs” by Sbusiso Nyembezi (1990) which was used as a source of reference. A feminist theory was adopted to analyse selected Zulu proverbs that are viewed as derogatory to women’s dignity. The article recommends that communities should be critical and apply an open mind by developing a framework that recognises socio-cultural sensitivity to minimise gender inequalities emanating from cultural norms and values that are derogatory towards women in order for women to fully enjoy their rights. Keywords: Derogatory, marriage, patriarchy, women, Zulu proverbs.
As part of a larger study on establishing a payment culture for municipal services, this article examined the importance of engaging traditional leaders in facilitating a payment culture to enhance equitable service delivery. A qualitative approach and exploratory design were applied to find solutions to the problems of the study. Municipal employees were selected using a purposive sampling method and data were collected using online interviews. ATLAS.ti (version 8.2) was used to analyse the data collected from the participants. The results revealed that traditional leaders are revered by residents and could be engaged adequately by municipal employees to assist in municipal governance. Municipal employees further confirmed that traditional leaders facilitate social cohesion by representing the municipality at the local level and could sufficiently facilitate a payment culture for municipal services and service provision. All participants affirmed that municipal governance could be enhanced by facilitating adequate collaboration between municipal employees and the traditional leaders who understand the fundamental problems and challenges that face residents. It was recommended that the local municipal management should strategically engage the traditional leaders and specify their tasks to enhance the service provision motive of the municipalities as stated in the Constitution of South Africa. Keywords: Traditional leadership, governance, municipalities, service provision, payment culture, South Africa.
An understanding of indigenous knowledge on soil classification, and their perceptions on soil productivity could complement scientific approaches in providing answers to challenges of soil resources management. The article sought to explore farmers’ indigenous knowledge of their soil resources in the Raymond Mhlaba Municipality in the Eastern Cape and compare them to knowledge gathered through scientific approaches. Key informants and focus group discussions were first used in the interviews after which 175 farmers were then interviewed using close-ended questionnaires. Data on indigenous soil classifications and soil potential for maize production were collected. Soil laboratory analyses were carried out to correlate indigenous knowledge with scientific findings. Six soil types were described by the farmers based soil colour, texture and soil depth. The most productive soils were umhlaba omnyama (soils with mollic properties); dongwe (brown clays); santi (sandy soils); isidhaka (high activity clays); umhlaba obomvu (red clays) and urhete (stony soils). Generally, there was good agreement between farmers’ assessment and scientificapproaches. The findings underscored the need to combine indigenous and scientific approaches in give practical management interventions acceptable to farmers. Keywords: Indigenous knowledge, natives, soil classification, Xhosa speaking.
Indigenous knowledge contributes to climate change adaptation measures for the community. Therefore, the study was aimed to: i) Forecast and characterize climatic variables (maximum temperature, minimum temperature and rainfall); ii) explore indigenous knowledge weather forecast; iii) identify climate change adaptation strategies using analogues method; and iv) identify indigenous knowledge of climate change adaptation strategies. The climate modelling RCPs (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) were used with three general circulation model (GCMs). The backward analogues method was chosen to identify analogues sites. An informal and formal meeting with key informants, interviews, focus group discussions and direct observation were used. Three hundred and fifty (350) households were selected through random sampling. Maximum temperature and minimumtemperature of the study area will be increased by 3.870c and 4.270c respectively in future up to 2099. Higher (84mm) and lower (-67) rainfall will be expected in end term and near term respectively. Indigenous knowledge’s of weather forecast at Dessa’a were identified. Backward analogues showed that the climate variables of Dessa’a will be similar with the current climate variables of the Ethiopian valley at 2050. Therefore, climate change adaptation strategies currently practiced in the Ethiopian valley can be adopted by Dessa’a as climate change adaptation strategies. Keywords: Adaptation strategies, climate change, indigenous knowledge and weather forecast.
In South Africa, indigenous beliefs and practices relating to protection against lightning have been passed from generation to generation. In the southern part of Mpumalanga Province, which falls within the extreme risk category for lightning in South Africa, one such belief involving a specific species of tree, Heteropyxis natalensis, was used by indigenous Tsonga/Shangaan people to guide their choice of a building site for their homesteads. They believed the trees attracted lightning, and because thatch was used as a roofing material, lightning posed a great risk which could cause the buildings to burn down. Consequently the location of these trees was taken into account and they were carefully avoided. Such indigenous knowledge, born out of intimate knowledge of the environment, can occasionally be explained by science. In this case, processes which operate at a molecular level indicate that the aromatic properties of these trees, in association with the local climatic and geologic setting, create a specific set of conditions that could lead to the trees presenting as a target for lightning. Keywords: Lightning, indigenous knowledge, lightning trees, Heteropyxis natalensis, radon, granite, aromatic oils.
This article is inspired by the need for African knowledge to deliver actionable outputs that would bring solutions to the challenges of Africa. Against this background, the author asks the question: What are the inputs, throughputs, outputs, drivers and enablers of an African knowledge system (AKS)? Departing from this question the author aims at identifying and defining elements of an African knowledge system that would deliver the knowledge production outputs for human development, socio-economic growth and global parity in Africa. The author applies the findings of the discussion to African practices, concluding about the 'endogenisation' of knowledge systems in Africa as part of the contemporary global knowledge system, providing relevant examples to support arguments. The author found that endogenised knowledge, embedded in African cultures integrated with inputs from global knowledge and other knowledge claims, are the main inputs into an AKS. These inputs are interpreted in a specific African context into value-driven, technologicallyenabled knowledge as outputs preparing the African people to engage with the challenges of the 21st century. Keywords: African Knowledge Systems, endogenous knowledge, African development.
Indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) refer to local, peasant, traditional knowledge, or African farming systems. They are continually influenced by creativity, experimentation and contact with external systems. This study reviewed literature on the applications of various indigenous knowledge practices and systems in crop production. Significant contributions to global knowledge originated from indigenous people, such as in medicineand veterinary medicine with intimate understanding of local environments. Some forms of IK are expressed in stories, legends, folklore, rituals, songs and laws. Perspectives and applications of IKS constitute the unique unity in diversity and its innate and embodied essence of humanity, spirituality, society and environment. The two main IKS theories reviewed were indigenous knowledge innovation systems (IKIS) and postmodernism. Challenges in adoption of IKS practices included farmers who perceive IKS as outdated, lack of institutional focus on preserving and promoting indigenous knowledge and poor government support in incorporating IKS into agricultural policy frameworks. Future workmay focus on determining the link between the IK system and the western technology, maintaining the value of indigenous knowledge base. Keywords: Indigenous knowledge systems (IKS), indigenous knowledge innovation systems (IKIS), African farming systems, agricultural policy frameworks, changing environments.
Challenges of climate change call for innovative solutions to achieve sustainable development. This is especially true in poor and rural communities. Many countries in Africa are alive to the fact that environmental education and management are key and therefore should be included in curricula and government policies. Investment in human capital such as skills, technological and institutional capacity is critical to support sustainable subsistence in the locations that host majority populations in most countries: the rural areas. To this end, the investigation and transition to low-carbon economies that engender accelerated investment, attracted by renewable energy technologies will contribute to improved quality of life and job creation. This article contends that Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) can bridge the divide that exists between technological and economic imperatives that are central to sustainable substance of rural communities. However, this is an area that remains seriously unexplored, understudied and is therefore accorded a low status. In the characteristically intellectualized environments of sustainable economic theories, IKSremains associated with low literacy, 'rurality' and primitiveness and relegated to ethnic extraction. Because the core of IKS emerges from practice located in oral definitions provided in local languages its utility value as the underlying methodological theory and doctrine escapes from being captured in the classical texts and is therefore not promoted by the mainstream commercial platforms. The complementary roles of modern andindigenous technologies can contribute to food security and development in general. Keywords: Harnessing, technologies, sustainable rural development, consciousness, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, epistemology, education, environmental management and African Renaissance.
Customarily, the drum is the main ingredient and depth of most African cultural life; the drums have been an integral part of African life for ages and for countless generations, an ancient instrument used to celebrate all aspect of life in most African communities. They play an immense role in Africa’s rich oral tradition. Through the drums, the emotions of an entire people are preserved. The African indigenous knowledge culture is on the edge of annihilation. The practice of verbal knowledge preservation in Africa portend a great challenge to the indigenous music inheritance. This article aims to promote and preserve the indigenous knowledge of the Abraka people through its drumming tradition. Brief notes on the role of drumming and an introduction to the people who drum in the community, are provided. This article also details the manner in which people learn how to drum, discuss methods of learning, who teaches them and the techniques used. Traditional African drumming provides a basis for understanding the historical and cultural contexts of traditional drumming practices among the Abraka people and broadens cross-cultural awareness of artistic forms. Its intention is to promote indigenous knowledge scholarship and to inspire further creativity and preservation. Keywords: African drum, Igede drum, Abraka people, drumming techniques, drum making.
In the first part of the article we explore what decolonisation might entail and why it is needed. The focus here is specifically on decolonisation within higher education and, more specifically, on the academic discipline of Operational Research (OR) and its curriculum. We explicate the specific challenge of decolonising operational research as part of the ‘pure’ sciences like mathematics. By investigating research in the decolonisation of ‘pure’ science in an attempt to find some guidance for decolonisation of OR, we found ourselves in uncharted waters. In the last section we contribute to the scholarship of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) by analysing the war strategies of King Shaka Zulu. We worked out some possibilities for decolonisation of OR by linking the war strategies of King Shaka Zulu to classical OR applications. This layed the foundation for decentring Western knowledge and for a more inclusive historical understanding of OR. Keywords: Decolonisation, Operational Research, mathematical sciences, King Shaka Zulu, Higher Education, transformation, Africanisation, indigenisation.
Child sexual abuse is a worldwide health and social problem that exists across different cultures. It happens to children of all demographics. It is difficult for disclosure of child sexual abuse to happen since it often takes place in private spaces. There have not been ample studies amongst Vhavenda tribe which focused intensively on contemporary factors influencing non-disclosure of child sexual abuse. Therefore, the article is based on a study that aimed to investigate the influence of familial factors towards disclosure of child sexual abuse within the context of Vhavenda tribe. In order to attain its aim, the study used the qualitative approach with ethnographic exploratory design. Fifteen (15) Vhavenda caregivers of children were purposively selected, and data was collected through semi-structured interviews which were guided by an interview schedule with open-ended questions. Data was analysed thematically with the assistance of the Nvivo software. The study was guided by both the ecological and socio-cultural theories. It was found that patriarchal practices, the taboo around sexual abuse, the value of family relationships, the role of the perpetrator within the family, family status and secrecy have a big influence in the nondisclosure of child sexual abuse amongst Vhavenda. Therefore, it is recommended that Vhavenda families should be capacitated about the implications of African values on the disclosure of child sexual abuse and the impact it has on the child victim. These families should also be empowered with skills to necessitate the disclosure of child sexual abuse thereof. Keywords: Child, child sexual abuse, disclosure, family, Vhavenda.
The article is based on the study that examined the impact urbanisation has had on the availability and accessibility of natural resources used for traditional medical practice as perceived by traditional health practitioners (THPs) and other relevant stakeholders. Despite the availability of Western medical care in Botswana, patient consultation of THPs remains evident. The research was conducted in Palapye, Lecheng, Goo-Tau, Majwaneng and Lerala, a set of settlements lying on an approximate urban-rural continuum. The THP key informants (100), representatives from Palapye Sub-Land Board (2), Department of Forest and Range Resources and Tshwarang-Ka-Natla (an organisation engaged in the harvesting of medicinal plants) (2) were subjectively selected for interviews. A semistructured interview schedule was administered to the informants. The majority of the interviewees indicated an increased demand for medicinal plants, especially in urban centres; and Palapye on the urban end of the continuum was identified as the main local market for medicinal plants. The physical growth of Palapye resulted in the absorption of nearby natural woodlands and the dwindling medicinal plant stocks in Palapye’s wild environment and adjacent areas. Overall, urbanisation was perceived to influence the demand for medicinal plants, leading to the decline in their abundance, especially for species perceived to be of high medicinal and economic value. Keywords: Medicinal plant, urbanisation, livelihoods, natural capital, traditional health practitioners.
This article explores the emergence of abstruse traditional leadership as a result of the land reform process in Zimbabwe. It is widely acknowledged that traditional leadership in Africa in general, and Zimbabwe in particular is appointed using customary rubrics and indigenous knowledge systems. Traditional leadership in Zimbabwe is legally recognized by the Constitution of Zimbabwe. The researchers purposively selected ten traditional leaders in Masvingo district to participate in the study. Data was generated through narrative interviews with the traditional leaders. The article established that the land reform process led to the emergence of an abstruse traditional leadership. The abstruse traditional leadership was not appointed following indigenous knowledge systems and customary rules of succession. Essentially, abstruse traditional leadership departs fromindigenous knowledge systems because of a number of ambiguities. The researchers established ambiguities which include: abstruse traditional leadership was elected instead of being hereditary; abstruse traditional leadership lacks metaphysical links with the land as well as acrimony between chiefs and village heads among others. Keywords: Abstruse traditional leadership, Village heads, land reform, Masvingo, Zimbabwe.
