Indilinga: African Journal of Indigenous Knowledge Systems

The cosmological convergence of tribal laws and the bible

Berrington Ntombela — 2020-07-20

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.

Utilising intangible cultural heritage to manage the knowledge of indigenous beads making within Krobo communities in Ghana

Beatrice Korkor Agyemang — 2020-07-20

The article is based on a study that investigated how the utilisation of intangible cultural heritage practices of the Krobo in Ghana can enhance the management and preservation of the beads making indigenous knowledge (IK). Qualitative data was collected using semi-participant observation, semi-structured interview and focus group discussions. The thematic data analysis strategy was used by the study. Data were extracted manually from the transcripts coded and summarized into various themes. The findings revealed that beads making IK was acquired and shared in the Krobo communities through intangible cultural heritage practices such as pregnancy rite, child naming, puberty rites for adolescent girls, marriage ceremonies, initiation of chiefs and queen mothers, festivals and funeral celebrations. The major challenges affecting beads making IK acquisition and sharing were disappearance of old designs and cultural practices that would influence IK acquisition and sharing. The recommendations include, the need for the traditional leaders in the area to find novel means of making folklore and cultural practices attractive to entice the youth in the area to participate in these activities which will go a long way to preserve IK in the communities.

Keywords: Indigenous Knowledge, knowledge management, beads making, intangible cultural heritage practices, Krobo, Ghana.

Tatodi among The Bangwaketse

Mishack T. Gumbo — 2020-07-20

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.

Application of Ubuntu as innovative human resources practice to retain academic staff at Sunyani Technical University, Ghana

Tabita Ladzeh Akpey-Mensah — 2020-07-20

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.

Manifestation of gender inequality in some Zulu proverbs that reflect patriarchal domination of women (by men) within the Zulu cultural context

Tholakele Henrietta Chiliza — 2020-07-20

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’s
rights 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.

Landscapes of Roora and death in modern society: Phenomenological reflections on the Kuroora guva custom among the Shona people of Buhera, Zimbabwe

Ben Humbe — 2020-07-20

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.

Music and religion as a useful means of promoting unity in Bapedi society

Morakeng Edward Kenneth Lebaka — 2020-07-20

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.

The use of indigenous knowledge systems in soil classification, appraisal and soil productivity rating for maize cropping: A case of the Xhosa speaking people in Raymond Mhlaba Municipality, South Africa

A. Manyevere — 2020-07-20

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 scientific
approaches. 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.

The paradox of internationalising higher education through Ubuntu philosophy

Phefumula Nyoni — 2020-07-20

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.

Engaging traditional leaders in municipal governance: The case of South African Municipalities

Prince Chukwuneme Enwereji — 2020-07-20

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.