A case for understanding user experience challenges confronting indigenous knowledge recorders in rural communities in South Africa

Abstract

For centuries, rural communities have relied on their indigenous knowledge for survival and sustenance. Indigenous Knowledge (IK) is understood as local knowledge, which is unique and traditional to a specific community. Due to the fact that IK plays an important role in the general well-being of a community, IK needs to be properly collected and protected. In view of this, the South African government undertook the development of a National Recordal System (NRS). However, User Experience (UX) in IKS has been largely ignored and as a result very little is understood of UX related challenges within the IKS field. This paper makes a case for the understanding of UX challenges confronting IK Recorders in rural communities in South Africa. Understanding UX challenges will improve on the overall quality of the captured IK and is important for the enhancement of the NRS processes, tools and the system that has been deployed.