In defence of local knowledge : a theoretical reflection

Abstract

Indigenous African knowledge systems are concerned with local knowledge. But the question that this raises is how valid is such local knowledge? Can such local knowledge be generalized and claim universal validity? Or stated differently, what is the epistemic foundation of local knowledge? This article sets out to reflect critically on the epistemic status of local knowledge and concludes with a defence of local knowledge based on work done in the anthropology of science. Keywords : Indigenous knowledge systems, local knowledge, anthropology of science. Indilinga Vol. 5 (2) 2006: pp. 1-11