Cultural Resources

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A Diachronic Analysis Of The Socio-Semantic Features Of Igbo Personal Names
(2021-10-19) Oweleke, Esther Nwakaego
This paper examines Igbo personal names from the perspectives of anthropological linguistics, socio-semantics, pragmatics and diachrony. It traces the evolution of name-giving within three major eras, pre-Christian (before the 1850s), early-Christian (from 1857--1960s) and Pentecostal (1960s to date) among the Igbo. The data for the study are 300 personal names sourced through interviews with both old and young members of the Igbuzo-Igbo community as well as from class registers of some nursery, primary and secondary schools in Port Harcourt. This paper reveals three interesting and important findings. First, indigenous Igbo names are culturally, semantically and pragmatically significant. Second, the principles and practice of name-giving have undergone some drastic changes through the eras. During the early-Christian and Pentecostal eras, the forces of Christianity, modernization and globalization have resulted in new names that reflect these changes. Third, indigenous names which belong to the core vocabulary of the language are seriously endangered. The paper concludes that if the indigenous names that are replete with meaning, and portray the values, identity and the beauty of the Igbo culture are allowed to die through lack of intergenerational transmission, then this aspect of the language and culture will also die.
Breaking the Wall of Indigenous and Scientific Knowledge
(2020-10-01) Obanda, Johanssen
Over centuries, indigenous communities have managed to withstand epidemics, climate crises and ecosystem erosions and live on their territories sustainably by closely observing and managing well the limited natural resources they depend on. These proven indigenous knowledge systems have been - and continue to be - facing suppression, belittling and exploitation throughout and after colonialism. In my community today around Lake Victoria, indigenous knowledge suffers isolation and extinction as the continent experiences technological advancements for the price of ecosystem destruction. Furthermore, building synergies between indigenous knowledge and modern science is still a challenge. The Turkana, Maasai, Samburu and other indigenous groups in Kenya rely on their community knowledge acquired and accumulated over centuries, covering indigenous concepts about astronomy, physics, medicine, botany, zoology, psychiatry, and non-invasive technology. However, their rich knowledge base is being faced by extinction as the older generations are losing more and more opportunities of passing their knowledge on. Most indigenous languages are only spoken, hence knowledge capture is difficult. I want to build a bridge between indigenous and academic knowledge systems. This will be achieved through a series of events to facilitate meetings between indigenous community representatives and local researchers to explore opportunities for collaboration utilizing the infrastructure and network created through my work with Pint of Science Kenya. The event series will have its peak with a sustainable science communication festival under the theme of “Nature for Life, Life for Nature” showcasing indigenous music, science and art and presenting the initiated collaborative activities and research projects while ensuring protection from misappropriation. The process will be paralleled by the fostering of equitable engagement of both indigenous knowledge holders and scholarly scientists through communication and collaboration, aided by documentation and archiving in audio/visual files of interviews, video footage and scholarly documentation as with books, manuscripts and journal articles in the pan-African repository AfricArXiv. Modern Science and Indigenous Science can not only co-exist but instead complement each other to allow us to tackle continental and global challenges like climate change, the pandemic, forced migration and poverty. I believe that Indigenous Knowledge deserves an equal position alongside mainstream academic science. I am convinced that the global research community benefits from a balanced exchange of knowledge and experience from all parts of the world, especially as we address global challenges.
Gender Relations in Indigenous Yoruba Culture: Questioning Feminism Action and Advocacy
(2022-01-18) Muraina, Luqman; Ajímátanraẹjẹ, Abdulkareem, Jeleel
Western feminism has diffused to many other cultures, who have imbibed without proper reflection. This is similar for the Yorùbá people of South-Western Nigeria. Yorùbá culture is gender-neutral and gender-silent; women are seen as complementary and not subordinate to men. Hence, (Oyěwùmí 1997), caution must be raised on the continual adoption of mainstream Western feminist philosophy in Yorùbá culture. Consequently, an argument was submitted for a different approach to doing feminism in Yorùbá culture. In essence, colonial imposition of gender binary in Yorùbá society; roles and gender status of women in traditional Yorùbá culture; women anti-colonial and feminist activities were discussed. The decolonization of Africa and the Yorùbá education system to include a properly historicized indigenous knowledge was recommended. Current feminist movements must also develop a 'shared text of blackness'. The duo should align and improve the worth of women based on the indispensability and esteemed status offered to women in pre-colonial Yorùbá society.
Manufacturing Procedures and Techniques of Indigenous Pottery Technology: An Ethno- Archaeological Investigation on West Guji Zone of Bule Hora District, Southern Ethiopia.
(2022-05-27) Wodajo, Mengesha, Robso
This an ethno-archaeological study focused on the investigation of indigenous pottery technology in West Guji Zone of Bule Hora district, Southern Ethiopia. Thus, the aim of the paper was to conduct an inclusive investigation about the traditional pottery manufacturing technology, procedures and its ethnographical tradition of the local communities (selected kebeles) in the district. The research was conducted on five kebeles (two rural kebeles, Goroo Gudina and Harroo; and three of Bule hora town kebeles) of West Guji Zone. These kebeles has own distinctive pottery making procedure, technique, styles, features and materials to their cultural clay products. The data in these areas were studied through employed primary and secondary sources. Primary sources include site observation, interview, photographs, and group discussions, while secondary sources also embraces brochures, books and documents. Potters of the study area mainly used black and brown clay and tempering material like, powdered potsherd and white clay to prepared paste. Besides these, some of the potters also used similar kinds of raw materials in molding, shaping and decorating pots while others used different treatment techniques and firing woods. This indigenous technology was mainly controlled by female potters who have long experiences in producing pots, jars, kets and other clay products.
On the Preservation of Africa's Cultural Heritage in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
(2024-03-08) Mohamed Louadi
In this paper we delve into the historical evolution of data as a fundamental element in communication and knowledge transmission. The paper traces the stages of knowledge dissemination from oral traditions to the digital era, highlighting the significance of languages and cultural diversity in this progression. It also explores the impact of digital technologies on memory, communication, and cultural preservation, emphasizing the need for promoting a culture of the digital (rather than a digital culture) in Africa and beyond. Additionally, it discusses the challenges and opportunities presented by data biases in AI development, underscoring the importance of creating diverse datasets for equitable representation. We advocate for investing in data as a crucial raw material for fostering digital literacy, economic development, and, above all, cultural preservation in the digital age.
Securing the future of African Innovation, Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Heritage.
(2024-06-06) Owango, Joy
Securing the future of African Innovation, Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Heritage. - AfricArXiv Open Science Webinar Series 2024. Watch the recording here: https://africarxiv.pubpub.org/pub/ti9z956o/

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