A Glance at Africa Through Its Creation Stories: Pedagogical Implications in Education

• In Event: Trickster Chases the Tale of Education: Indigenous Storytelling Disrupting Education

Abstract

Objectives:. Creation Stories connect with African people’s lived realities and open a window onto the nations they inhabit although they are often misrepresented, seldom understood, and frequently ignored. African Creation Stories demystify and yet mystify the origins of its people. As Thomas Berry (1984 stated, “We are between stories . . . The old story, the account of how we fit into it, is no longer effective. Yet we have not learnt the new story.” (p.123). These views are expressed by Hall (1989) who said: “The past is not only a position from which to speak, but it is also an absolutely necessary resource in what one has to say…” (p. 19-20). Different creation stories reveal diverse sacred histories and how they link cultures, religions and ethnic groups across our world and Africa in particular. The presentation is based on an on-going literature based research on African Past. Although stories may differ in content and meaning, their commonality lies in their morals and values being specific to each culture or ethnic group. One prominent theme is the notion of humankind’s relationship with nature and the cosmos. Creation stories reflect cosmogonies that serve as intra-community connectors.

Theoretical framework. I employ an anti-colonial theory, a framework that comprises of theorizing issues emerging from colonial relations. It is an interrogation of the configurations of power embedded in knowledge production (Dei, 2000, Wane, 2006). The framework challenges the institutional powers and imperial structures that have prevented many African peoples from dismantling the colonial structures left behind by colonizers after the attainment of political independence
Methods or modes of inquiry. The research findings and in particular the creation stories open a window onto sacred creeds of the origins of African Peoples and provide material for discussion in relation to dominant western creation stories that are taught in schools in Africa.
Results There are over 50 creation stories in Africa. However, I share only three creations stories from: 1) Khoisan Peoples in Southern African; 2) Tswana People of Botswana; and 3) The People of Mali. The discussion focuses on similarities and differences. One significant conclusion of this work is the need to acknowledge and recognize the multiple and collective origins of creation stories.
Scholarly significance of the study
The role of creation stories in teaching, learning and researching does not take place in a vacuum but rather within the context of a history of a people. Therefore, for any meaningful learning and teaching to take place, it is necessary for educators to rethink or re-imagine how we might infuse African creation stories within the Eurocentric curriculum.

Author

• Njoki N. Wane, University of Toronto