Harnessing Cultural Capital for Sustainability: A Pan Africanist Perspective

Description

This book argues that the basic component of any society's social security and sustainability is cultural capital and its ability to fully recognise diversity in knowledge production and advancement. However, with regard to African societies, since the dawn of racial slavery and colonialism, cultural capital ñ indigenous knowledge in particular ñ has iniquitously and acrimoniously suffered marginalisation and pejorative ragtags. Increasingly since the 1990s, cultural capital informed by African knowledge systems has taken central stage in discussions of sustainability and development. This is not unrelated with the recognition by America and Europe in particular of the central role that cultural capital could and should assume in the logic of development and sustainability at a global level. Unfortunately, action has often failed to match words with regard to the situation in Africa. The current book seeks to make a difference by exploring the role that African cultural capital could and should assume to guarantee development and sustainability on the continent and globally. It argues that lofty pan-African ideals of collective self-reliance, self-sustaining development and economic growth would come to naught unless determined and decisive steps are taken towards full recognition of indigenous cultural capital on the continent. Cover Title page Copyright page List of Contributors Contents Cultural Capital, Social Security and Sustainability in Conversation: An Introduction Chapter 1 - Indigenous Mechanisms for Disaster Risk Reduction: How the Shona of Zimbabwe Managed Drought and Famine? Introduction Understanding Mechanisms used to manage drought and famine: What role for the Shona? Indigenous mechanisms for disaster mitigation in traditional societies in Zimbabwe: Insights for the future Conclusion References Chapter 2 - Indigenous Political Structures in Africa: Interrogating Rotational Kingship in Yorubaland vis-à-vis Political Crises and Terrorism in Nigeria Introduction The rotational presidency controversy Rotational kingship in Yorubaland: An exemplary case for rotational presidency Conclusion References Chapter 3 - Pan-Africanism, Marxism and Sustainable Development in Jacques Roumain’s novel Gouverneurs de le rosée (Masters of the Dew) Introduction Critique of French Imperialism: The Haitian Revolution and Gouverneurs de la rosée (Masters of the Dew) Marxism in the novel under study Pan-Africanism in Gouverneurs de la rosée The Struggle for Sustainable Development in Gouverneurs de la rosée Conclusion References Chapter 4 - Indigenous-Based Adaptation: An Imperative for Sustainable Climate Change Strategies for Africa Introduction Framing climate change and ICK: Concepts, epistemology and methodology Conceptualising climate change and IK Africa: Crying voices in the context of global climate change Epistemological and methodological stance for ICK and adaptation Indigenous-based climate change adaptation: Evidence from cases Broad IK applications Sustainable Adaptation Strategies: from an ICK perspective Conclusion References Chapter 5 - Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the Politics of Development and Sustainability in Africa: A Critical Appraisal of the Involvement of NGOs in Sustainable Development in Zimbabwe Introduction Understanding NGOs NGOs and African rural communities: What role for NGOs? NGOs and the challenge of participation in Africa: The Zimbabwean case Recommendations Conclusion References Chapter 6 - Traditional religion, Sacred Places and Sustainability in Africa: The Role and Contribution of Sacred Places in Nigeria Introduction African Traditional Religion: A brief account Understanding sacred places An evaluation Benefits and relevance of sacred places in Nigeria Environmental sustainability: A conceptual meaning Sacred places and sustainable environment in Nigeria: A symbiosis Conclusion References Chapter 7 - The Role of Indigenous Religion in Fostering Social Stability and National Development: Lessons from Ifá of Nigeria Introduction Origin of Islam and Christianity in Nigeria A brief review of religious crises in Nigeria Towards a peaceful society: Lessons from Ifá Religions in Nigeria: A closer look Conclusion References Chapter 8 - Intangible Heritage Politics and Sustainability in Africa: Reflections on the Politics of Language in Mozambique Introduction Language policy and education discourse in Mozambique: A brief background Which indigenous language(s) to consider as official? The Mozambican dilemma Endangered heritage: Why should Mozambique’s indigenous languages be preserved? Overcoming Mozambican linguistic problems for sustainability: Some suggestions Conclusion References Chapter 9 - Indigenous Knowledge: A Key Factor in Africa’s Sustainable Development Introduction Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKSs) Understanding Sustainability Sustainable development Some indigenous African knowledge that can be tapped for sustainable development Conclusion References Chapter 10 - Nyaminyami, ‘The Tonga River-God’: The Place and Role of the Nyaminyami in the Tonga People’s Cosmology and Environmental Conservation Practices Introduction The BaTonga people of Zimbabwe The link between the Tonga and the environment The Tonga people’s self-identity Theorising Nyaminyami, The Tonga River-God The Nyaminyami walking stick Conclusion References Chapter 11 - Depiction of Polygamous Marriage in Selected Pre-colonial Shona Narratives Introduction The distorted image of a polygamous Gararirimo in Kurauone Acrimony in the Shona Polygamous Marriage Chiefs’ Abuse of Power in Shona Marriage Convergence of Perceptions on Shona Marriage in the Old World Novels Conclusion References Chapter 12 - Living a Sustainable Life: African and Old Testament Proverbs in Dialogue Introduction Sustainable lifestyle: A step towards a better world African Wisdom Tradition: Akan and Ewe Proverbs on Sustainable Lifestyle Biblical Wisdom Tradition and Sustainable Lifestyle: The Case of Proverbs African and Biblical proverbs in dialogue Conclusion References Chapter 13 - Indigenous Knowledge and Public Education in Africa: A Search for a Sustainable Education Curriculum Introduction Understanding Indigenous Knowledge and Intangible Heritage Conclusion References Chapter 14 - Cultural Harnessing Among the Tonga of North-western Zimbabwe: Breaking out of the shell of stereotyping, reclaiming identity, and fostering sustainable development through craft Introduction and background to the Tonga People The genesis of Tonga crafts: Tracing the industry to its roots Conclusion References Back cover