Bridging the Gap Between Researchers and Indigenous Communities: Participatory Research and Indigenous Knowledge Systems

• In Event: 64.011 - Cross-Cutting Session 1. The Significance of Culture, Context, and Ways of Knowing From Pre-K Through Higher Education

Abstract

Research and knowledge production occur in a particular context of ideological, political and social frameworks. Despite the catastrophic history of slavery, colonization, apartheid, globalization and the disarticulation of knowledge production in Africa, the African intellectual and spiritual heritage survives. In the absence or marginalization of African voice, however, Western epistemology amounts to imperialism in the guise of modern scientific knowledge. The wealth of knowledge among the elders in African communities is an important source of intellectualism to which researchers should turn, guided by Afro-sensed epistemology and indigenous knowledge systems (IKS). This paper explores how Afro-sensed epistemology and IKS expand other ways of knowing and centre the African intellect and spirit as the core through which knowledge is developed and disseminated.

Authors

• Mogomme Alpheus Masoga, University of Limpopo

• Allucia Lulu Shokane, University of Venda

• Lisa Blitz, Binghamton University - SUNY

• Denise G. Yull, Binghamton University - SUNY

• Kelly J. Gross, University at Albany - SUNY