Department of Indigenous Knowledge System and Heritage Studies
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Browsing Department of Indigenous Knowledge System and Heritage Studies by Author "Matshidze, P. E."
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Item Open Access The co-creation of Afrocentric ethical guidelines for digital content creators producing indigenous knowledge-based content(2023-05-19) Nyoni, Tsakani Emmarencia; Netshandama, V.O.; Matshidze, P. E.The rise of the digital age has seen an increase in the production of Indigenous Knowledge (IK)-based content by digital content creators. However, Afrocentric digital content creation ethical guidelines for producing IK-based content are barely covered in the literature and are not popularised. Thus, this study’s aim was to co-create Afrocentric ethical guidelines for digital content creators producing IK-based content. The Afrocentric ethical guidelines that do exist in the literature are for research and are not fully applicable to digital content creation. I have followed the work of Smith (1999), Wilson (2008), Chilisa (2012), Kovach (2013), and Shokane and Masoga (2020), in building this study’s foundation and in preparation for the co-creation of Afrocentric digital content creation ethical guidelines. The data generated was analysed through a thematic analysis technique. Key findings in this study include that stakeholders have experienced a violation of their knowledge’s boundaries and sacredness, its ownership often challenged after its shared with creators and the lack of long-term partnerships from the creators’ end. The co-created Afrocentric ethical guidelines have also been documented in this study’s findings and have included a three-step process as follows: (i) Preparing to engage with an indigenous community, (ii) The process of engaging and, (iii) Presenting/posting IK-based content on digital/social media platforms. The study also found that IK Holders are often not involved in the process of telling stories about their knowledge. This study’s recommendations include the inclusion and involvement of Indigenous Knowledge Holders (IKHs) in the presentation of IK-based content on digital/social media platforms. The content should be presented by IK Holders or at least through their lens. This recommendation is based on the idea that their involvement will ensure an emancipatory digital content creation process.Item Open Access Exploring The Efficacy of Customary Tenure as A Tool for Rural Development and Food Security in Vhembe District of South Africa: An Indigenous Knowledge System Perspective(2023-05-19) Mawere, Joshua; Matshidze, P. E.; Kugara, S. L.; Madzivhandila, T. S.In South Africa, numerous interested parties have expansively debated the relevance and place of customary tenure as a mechanism of land reform and a tool for rural development and food security. At the core of the debate is the notion predicated on the supposition that customary tenure is insufficient a tool to realise any meaningful rural development, thus a threat to food security. Therefore, the aim of the study was to examine the effectiveness of the South African customary tenure as a tool for rural development and food security. The study thus challenged the inherited colonial legacies which continue to militate against African Indigenous Knowledge Systems. The key concepts grounding the study were deeply entrenched on modernisation, adaptation and renaissance framework. These frameworks underpinned the reasoning of the thesis in a bid to address the thorny issue of customary tenure in Vhembe district of South Africa. An exploratory qualitative design and a doctrinal approach was adopted. Semi-structured interviews, case, overt observation, and focus groups were used to obtain the data. The information was gathered from traditional leaders, municipal managers, and other knowledge holders using a non-probability sampling method. Thematic data analysis was used to analyse the data. The data collected envisaged that customary tenure can be formerly developed to promote rural development and food security for rural communities.Item Open Access Exploring the preservation methods of Ndayo by Vhavenda People(2023-10-05) Sibadela, Mukhethoni Joyce; Matshidze, P. E.; Netshandama, V. O.The purpose of this study is to explore the preservation methods of how ndayo were preserved by Vhavenḓa. Ndayo is a method practiced by Vhavenḓa people when raising their children and their intention is to guide, teach, mould, and transmit norms and values to younger generations. Through ndayo, indigenous knowledge holders aim to witness their children grow up in society with control respect and discipline. The decision to conduct this study was influenced by the alarming loss of preservation methods of ndayo by Vhavenḓa people. The objectives of this study are as follows; to explore traditional indigenous knowledge practices of preserving ndayo by Vhavenḓa people, to promote the benefits of preserving traditional indigenous knowledge practice ndayo by Vhavenḓa people, and to develop strategies that will preserve traditional indigenous knowledge practice ndayo by Vhavenḓa people. Vhavenḓa people posses’ valuable traditional indigenous knowledge practices, which should be passed down to the younger generation. The study will facilitate learning and accessibility of traditional indigenous knowledge practices by the younger generation. A qualitative method which is exploratory in nature was adopted in this study. Purposive sampling was used to select participants. Unstructured interviews were conducted with twelve Vhavenḓa traditional indigenous knowledge holders who are key participants. Data coded as themes. The findings of the study showed that ndayo is an ongoing process done throughout a child’s development, and the practices that are predominantly used were expressed in stories, songs, folklore, proverbs, dances, myths, cultural values, believes, rituals, community traits’, idioms and initiation schools (ngoma). Ndayo can be preserved through the use of digitalization, libraries, websites, e-learning and different platforms of social media, traditional indigenous knowledge practices should be preserved so that the younger generation will have access to the knowledge. The study recommends family, schools, churches, community, policy makers and curriculum implementers to incorporate traditional indigenous knowledge practices specifically ndayo by Vhavenḓa people. In addition, family, schools, churches, community, policy makers and curriculum implementers must promote the benefits of preserving traditional indigenous knowledge practices by Vhavenḓa people.Item Open Access The indigenous holistic use of Luranga by the Vhavenḓa communities of Vhembe District, Limpopo Province(2023-10-05) Makaulule, Mphatheleni; Matshidze, P. E.; Netshandama, V. O.The study explored the holistic indigenous uses of Luranga. Luranga is one of the indigenous important crops that are used by the Vhavenḓa communities as a source of food sincesince time immemorial. This plant (Luranga) plays a role on food security and food sovereignty in Venḓa communities. However, it appears that the plant is no longer being utilised. Although there are many studies on Luranga (cucurbit), its indigenous interplay uses have not been explored. A qualitative methodology approach on purposive snowball sampling method was employed in this study. The unstructured interviews were conducted with eleven indigenous knowledge holders and two focus groups comprising five and seven participants. Interviews involved exploration of views, experiences, and beliefs of participants towards Luranga. The findings of the study show that Phuri and Muphapha are species of Lunga and they are used in different ways by VhaVhenda.The exploration exposed the interrelated functions of Luranga ; they provide nourishment, material products, including the ecological course, as well as forspiritual and psychological identity particularly associated with womanhood identification. Luranga can also be commercilisedThe study recommends the need torrevivetraditional cultivation methods of muphapha as one of the forgotten species and encourage people to consume Phuri (pepo) as it is nutritious.Item Open Access Socio Cultural and Philosophical Importance of Rituals in Traditional Medicine: Focus on HIV And AIDS Treatment in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province(2023-10-05) Mufamadi, Jane; Netshandama, V. O.; Tshisikhawe, M. P.; Matshidze, P. E.Indigenous healing is largely holistic in its approach. When a patient consults with a headache or a painful knee, there would be a deliberate intent on the part of the healer to look at the entire body and its relation to the environment, ancestors, and spiritual aspects. However, this approach is often misunderstood and ridiculed at times. This study sought to examine the socio-cultural importance and philosophical stance of rituals followed by indigenous healers during the process of diagnosis and administration of HIV and AIDS treatments. While there is recognition and acceptance that indigenous healers have a part to contribute to the treatment of HIV/AIDS, this has been done in a manner that requires indigenous healers to conform to western approaches and methodologies, thus losing the authentic value and form in which they have been used since time immemorial. This is an exploratory study, which entails aspects of participant observation, where selected indigenous healers were observed and interviewed to provide key information regarding the phenomenon in question. Sixteen indigenous healers were purposively selected. Responses from semi-structured interviews with these indigenous healers from the Vhembe District in the Limpopo Province, South Africa, were the main sources used for the knowledge acquisition process. Being the conduit through which these participants’ stories were told, the researcher’s own account and viewpoints on the subject were interwoven throughout this report. The study revealed that indigenous healers perceive rituals as the backbone of the healing process. The study also found that there are no specific rituals reserved for HIV/AIDS patients, as rituals are embedded and are considered as the ‘DNA’ of all aspects of healing for all diseases and illnesses. Meaning that rituals serve as both ground and a centre within which transformation for the patient, the family, and the community at large occur. The most significant finding in this study, as articulated by all participants, is that rituals give one purpose and an opportunity to reconnect with oneself, the family, ancestors, and the community, bringing one to the centre of who they are. This is because participants believe that rituals are necessary because, in their understanding, sickness or disease is not just physical, but a way for the body to communicate what the soul or the ancestors need, and therefore, participation in the ritual fulfils, not just the physical disease, but the socio-cultural, and spiritual issues. This highlighted the need to properly contextualise and acknowledge the multi-layered, complex process of indigenous healing within the socio-cultural frame works. I, therefore, recommend the establishment of a clear and definitive role for indigenous healing within government framework for primary health care so that indigenous healers can play a decisive part in the provision of healthcare within the South African population.Item Embargo Use of information communication technology as a tool for preserving Tshivenda Proverbs(2024-09-06) Nevondo, Phathutshedzo Unarine; Madima, T. J.; Makhanikhe, T. J.; Matshidze, P. E.This study explored the use of Information Communication Technology in preserving the Tshivenḓa proverbs. From time immemorial, proverbs were valuable cultural practices of oral tradition, which were used to empower the young generation on morals, norms, behaviour, education, and other African values. It has been noticed that due to modernisation and lack of preservation, proverbs have been abounded by the majority of Vhavenḓa youths, which seems to be resulting in moral degeneration because youth no longer acquire moral knowledge and skills through proverbs. The overall objectives were to examine different ways of gaining knowledge and understanding about proverbs and Information Communication Technology, to explore the role of information Communication Technology in preserving proverbs within Vhavenḓa communities, and to explore strategies to mitigate challenges associated with the preservation of Tshivenḓa proverbs through the use of Information Communication Technology. The study was grounded in socio-cultural and diffusion of innovation theories. This study intended to adopt a qualitative research design. Therefore, participants were selected using Purposive and snowballing samplings. Furthermore, semi-structured and focus group discussions were used to collect data. Thematic data analysis was used to analyse data. The envisioned findings of the study could be convenient in preserving the Vhavenḓa proverbs.