African Epistemology and Culture: Creating a Sustainable Development

Abstract

The paper examines the relevance of African epistemology and culture as a panacea for sustainable development. African epistemology is a cultural epistemology that originates from African philosophy which includes the African conception of the nature of knowledge the justification of knowledge and epistemic claims. The paper argues that Colonialism stimulated positive and negative changes in Africa. The promotion and propagation of western culture dates back to the era of colonialism. Colonial rule was an imposition that unleashed deadly blow on African culture. The paper points out that the influence of western culture has caused certain customs and beliefs to be discarded or modified, at the same time it has caused others to be retained by one level of society while on another level new alternatives are being accepted. This was achieved through an establishment of schools, which curricula were tailored to achieve the goals of the colonizer, rather than trained the colonized. African cosmos became a victim of extraneous ideology which it has continue to grapple with. The paper concludes that knowledge is crucial to human survival and flourishing, African culture is embedded in strong epistemic considerations. African epistemology is an important component of culture. The problem of underdevelopment in Africa is not due to lack of natural and human resources but that of undermining her cultural heritage.

Keywords: African epistemology, Culture, Indigenous knowledge, Ubuntu.