M
ANAGING
IKS
FOR DEVELOPMENT
INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM: UNDOCUMENTED AFRICAN
RURAL ASSET
By
Mphalane “Mmirwa” Makhura ([email protected])
Corporate Information & Record Manager
South African National Parks
012 426 5069
Background
T
he concept indigenous knowledge (IK) is used interchangeably by various scholars from different school of thoughts to either refer to one of the following concepts i.e. traditional knowledge, local knowledge, indigenous skills, indigenous technical knowledge, folk knowledge, peoples’ science, rural peoples’ knowledge, ethnoscience and cultural (Thakadu, 1998:3). In this paper, indigenous knowledge is used within the context of its originality and practice i.e. rural, traditional and cultural knowledge. Rural people are in this context viewed as the main custodian of this unclaimed African asset. As a proudly rural South African, I also graduated from this university of wisdom whereby only word of mouth was used to disseminate information from one generation to the other.Indigenous Knowledge is defined by the World Bank (1998) as the local knowledge that is unique from one culture or society to the other. It is the basis for local decision making in Sport and Recreation, Agriculture, Health, Natural resource management etc. The concept is further defined by South African Research and Documentation Center as a body of knowledge and beliefs built by a group of people, and handed down from one generation to the other through oral tradition.
In support of the above definitions, Motselebane (2004:7) observed that most of the rural people depend on indigenous knowledge to survive. They use these knowledge to process various products, for example out of marula they would brew morula juice and beer, which are used to “clean the stomach”. The marula nut (or dikgeru) would be mixed with morogo to set-up a very delicious meal. Other examples abound showing how the knowledge is used for livelihood. Most of this knowledge is only known by a few elders - and there is no system of documenting such knowledge. Is there a room for creating a record management system for such knowledge?
records management is concerned with the systematic control of the creation, receipt, maintenance, use, and disposal of records.
It is important to note that IK is deeply associated with oral tradition. The custodians of IK used the brains (heads) to keep and pass IK to the next generation. Due to lack of sound record management with regard to IK, valuable information used for sustainable development among various members of communities disappeared gradually. In consideration of the above status, it is time for all communities to start documenting and keeping records of their Indigenous knowledge. Unlike in the previous century, IK is no longer associated with the less developed but with the pride of the nation.
Rise of IKS in South Africa: recognition
It was immediately after 1994 when South Africa gave birth to her first ever democratic government that Africans became proud of their originality and practice. Since 1994 to date, the period witnessed many South Africans claiming their lost cultural heritage and its rightful position.
African traditional healers were not recognized by the government although consulted by the majority of the members of the society (Africans); indigenous games were not included among other school sporting activities. African churches accommodating indigenous knowledge practice were associated with demonism. Although IK was not officially recognised by the government of the day, it proved its success especially in rural areas in fighting frustrations either emanating from lack of relevant resources or poverty. For example, as a headboy, we used Mphatlalatsane (a natural plant species found in the wild areas of Limpopo Province. Normally visible during summer/rainy seasons) to stop the expected rain while in the bush looking after the goats and also used wild fruit such as meregu, matshidi, Mabilo etc to feed ourselves. In order to stop the expected rain, the plant is burned and its smoke destroys the cloud likely to cause the expected rain
The inauguration of President Mbeki on 25 June 1999, through his State of the nation address on the African Renaissance changed the status quo with regard to Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) (Mbeki, 1999:23). He made it clear that the next century will evolve as the African century i.e. recovery of the African pride and dignity. Since then, organizations, both public and private, gave recognition to IKS. Having observed the limitations that the oral tradition has in terms of preserving IKS, it was noted that the biggest challenge was to document this knowledge.
IKS and Recordkeeping
knowledge is also destroyed. Oral tradition played the most important role for information dissemination throughout the African continent. Almost every sector of the African society relied on oral tradition to pass information from one generation to the other. Elders, especially from rural areas, serve as the main custodians of indigenous knowledge. They thus would ensure that the knowledge is passed from one generation to another within their clan.
The emergence of the Information Society came at the time when Indigenous Knowledge is almost lost due to lack of recognition by the previous government and ignorance of the new generation. Recorded information and application of retrieval tools is therefore central to the existence of information society. Oral tradition will thus be enhanced by the introduction and implementation of recording and written tradition. The risk of losing information will become the story of the past once the necessary recording and information retrieval strategies are in place.
Based on the status quo, it is long overdue for relevant stakeholders to assist rural people to claim their stolen assets such as morula products, traditional medicines etc. The high rate of illiteracy among rural people also contributed a lot towards the loss of IKS ownership. Unless properly recorded, rural people would keep on fighting a losing battle i.e. serving as unrecognized source of knowledge which is later turned into wisdom by Western countries. Recordkeeping can successfully prevent the misappropriation of Indigenous Knowledge received from rural communities.
The very same rural people are later targeted to buy their modified products to survive. Once rural people are taught and encouraged on recordkeeping, the problem of losing ownership would be the story of the past. Record is defined by various scholars as strong corporate memory against which a reliable decision in terms of ownership can be taken. It is the main source of evidence against any performed activity.
Recommendations
Having widely debated the role of recordkeeping in IKS, the following issues of concern around IKS should form part of future debate:
* Ownership
Record keeping on IK can successfully assist with regard to copyright and thereby resolving the whole uncertainty on who should enjoy the royalties of IK. In broader context, it is only through recordkeeping that IK could receive its rightful position i.e. either in Rural or Urban, South Africa or Africa, Africa or Global. As indicated earlier, record is a memory of an organization or community. It is the most trusted source of evidence against which a decision should be taken.
* Security against white collar crime
Resources were professionally stolen and modified by Western countries. For example, although traditional healers were never recognized, their knowledge with regard to healing mechanism was indirectly used after academic research was conducted. White collar crime is therefore used in this paper to refer to those academics or professionals using illiterate fellow Africans as source of their success. It is a crime because they apply and benefit the knowledge without permission of the owner.
Based on the above statement, it is therefore argued that sound recordkeeping would successfully prevent professional theft of Indigenous knowledge. The prime example is the story of Vuvuzela. From my experience, Vuvuzela i.e. phalafala is the product discovered by Chiefs in rural areas as a communication tool either to call community members for the most important gathering. The fact that 2010 world cup is around the corner, unnecessary debate with regard to ownership nearly became to story of the century. Unfortunately, there is no record proving the fact that chiefs are rightful owners of Vuvuzela. It therefore implies that there was lack of security against white collar crime with regard to this asset. Let me close by indicating that White collar crime is a day light robbery.
* Knowledge Management and IKS: Repositioning of IKS
Although record management is stand alone function focussing on management of records, confusion still exists between records and knowledge management. Some scholars argue that records falls with the discipline of knowledge management and therefore management of Indigenous Knowledge should be conducted in consideration of Knowledge Management principles.
In order to rightfully position IKS, it remains necessary to explore the relationship between Knowledge Management and IKS. In closure, attempts should be made apply records management in this respect.
* IT vs IKS
The speed at which technology is moving can not be ignored, for any discipline to survive, it must try to cope with the advent of technology. With regard to IKS and Recordkeeping, electronic recordkeeping becomes a must and not a choice. Indigenous Knowledge Electronic Records Management would successfully ensure that product (IK) is easily retrievable and well marketed. Based on this scenario, development of IKS databases and websites should reflect on the government’s top agenda. Central to initiative, IT and Records managers should play the most leading role.
* Role of relevant stake holders:
Managers, Librarians, Story tellers, IT professional, relevant government departments and NGO’s etc should be on board.
Conclusion
Indigenous Knowledge System is the future and pride of Africa. Through the use of IKS Africans can prove their innovative existence and contribution towards the global economy. The time of practicing African wisdom behind closed doors is gone and buried. African wisdom should be recognized and utilized economically. Rural people should be introduced to latest free technological tools such open source software.
Reference
Northwestern territories. 2002. What is records management. Records management bulletin. 3.
Mbeki, T. 1999. A nation at work for a better life: Thabo Mbeki’s first speech as president in parliament on 25 June 1999. Pretoria: Government communication system.
Motselebane, M. 2004. A rural dream: rural people will have a better life. South Africa Rural Development Quaterly. 2(3): 78.
