Researchers investigated how indigenous science knowledge can enhance the learning of Western
Science and teaching about ecological sustainability issues in developing African countries. Data sources included interviews with traditional healers and elders in Malawi to learn about indigenous science practices, interviews with Malawian teachers to assess their understandings and use of indigenous science in the curriculum, and science curriculum guides that pertain to the use of indigenous science.
These interviews and data analysis revealed that traditional healers and elders were able to identify many common applications of indigenous knowledge, including: the medicinal use of plants, preserving vegetables by boiling and storing in ash; composting and soil fertilization using indigenous agricultural practices, and channel irrigation. African educators were also very aware of traditional knowledge and practices; however, the acquisition and application of indigenous science was marginalized as not being acceptable science.
Investigate how indigenous knowledge can enhance the learning of science and teaching about ecological sustainability issues in Malawi
• Deforestation
• Poverty
• HIV-AIDS
• Water Borne Diseases
• Famine
• 80 students per class
• Lack of books & materials
• Teacher preparation
Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) represents descriptive and explanatory knowledge about nature acquired across generations of people from cultures with strong oral traditions (Kawagley, Norris-Tull, 1998; Snively & Corsiglia, 2001)
Students from indigenous cultures may experience problems in school when crossing cultural borders to learn Western Science (Aikenhead & Jegede, 1999;
Lewis & Aikenhead, 2001)
Ecological sustainability in Malawi impacted by socio-cultural factors associated with colonialism (Glasson, G.E., Frykholm, J., Mhango, N., & Phiri, A., 2006).
• Audio and video recorded interviews with traditional healers and elders
• Audio-recorded interviews with Malawian educators
• Post-colonial framework: hybridization of ideas from Western and indigenous perspectives (Carter, 2004)
• Traditional Medicines
- Roots and tree barks
- Leaves or seed pods from trees and herb
• Benefits
- Treats most prevalent diseases (e.g. Malaria)
- Inexpensive
• Challenges
- Growing negative attitude towards indigenous knowledge
- Deforestation
- Western medicine and traditional medicine working together
•Traditional Food Preservation
- Vegetables : Boiled and sun-dried
- Cereals and legumes: use of ash made from certain types of trees
- Sweet potatoes: use of ash, sand
• Benefits
- Ensures ample food throughout the year
- Cheaper than western methods (ideal for rural people)
• Challenges
- Growing negative attitude (influence of western methods)
- Some foods cannot be preserved using this method
.
• Traditional Soil Conservation
- Fertilize soil by growing crops under
Msangu trees (indigenous acacia species)
Use of traditional crops to fertilize soil, e.g. pigeon peas, kalongonda
(indigenous bean species)
• Benefits
- Cheaper than use of chemical fertilizers
Helps conserve water
• Challenges
- Traditional crops considered of little commercial value
• Blends beneficial traditional ecological knowledge with western science
- Channel irrigation using gravity
- Organic Gardening
- Composting
- Minimal resources (e.g. no inorganic fertilizers)
The interviews with the Malawian elders revealed rich descriptions and information regarding indigenous knowledge and practices. In each category of interviews, we were able to identify connections with the indigenous knowledge practices with Western Science (see examples in table 1).
Traditional Healing
Food Preservation
Medicinal use of plants (e.g. bark of tree for treatment of malaria).
Boiling preserves vegetables.
Preserving vegetables by storing in ash.
Preserving seeds with crushed tobacco and neem leaves.
Sustainable Agriculture Growing crops under the msangu tree.
Channel irrigation and organic composting to grow crops.
Quinine is a chemical found in the bark used to treat malaria.
Boiling destroys cells and retards met abolic activity and bacterial growth.
Ash absorbs moist ure, thus retarding bacteria growth.
Tobacco and neem leaves contain chemicals that kill or repel seed pests.
Msangu tree drops leaves in the rainy season, thus provide comp ost and nitrogen for the crops.
Eliminates use of fertilizers and provides year-long farming.