The Importance of Underpinning Indigenous Research Using African Indigenous Philosophies

Abstract

This study uses secondary data to discuss views of indigenous scholars on the importance of using African indigenous philosophies as underpinnings for indigenous research in order to reclaim the dignity of African indigenous knowledge. For many years, African indigenous knowledge has been marginalized and constructed using Western worldviews and methods. African indigenous philosophies were deemed non-existent and non-fitting to be in the academic space by many non-indigenous scholars who believed that indigenous research methods cannot be developed because there are no specific generalized frameworks. In correcting and reclaiming the knowledge and dignity of African indigenous knowledge, this study argues for the decolonization and indigenization of research by utilizing African indigenous philosophies which focuses on African philosophical beliefs and values, that constitute their own way of living, doing, and being. Such research will prevent indigenous people's knowledge from being misrepresented, divided, mystified, commodified, condensed, and misinterpreted.