Abstract

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.

Indigenous Science, Ecological Sustainability, and Education in Malawi

Indigenous Science, Ecological Sustainability, and Education in Malawit Name

Absalom Phiri, Graduate Assistant

Ndalapa Mhango, Graduate Assistant

George Glasson, Associate Professor

School of Education

glassong@vt.edu

Purpose

Investigate how indigenous knowledge can enhance the learning of science and teaching about ecological sustainability issues in Malawi

Challenges in Malawi: Ecological Sustainability

• Deforestation

• Poverty

• HIV-AIDS

• Water Borne Diseases

• Famine

Challenges in Malawi: Primary Education

• 80 students per class

• Lack of books & materials

• Teacher preparation

Literature Review

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).

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Interviews Indigeno us Know ledge Pract ices

Wes tern S cie nc e Conne ctions

Tradit ional He aling Medic ina l use of pla nts (e.g. bark of tr e e for tre a tme nt of mala ria ).

Quinine is a che mica l found in the bark us ed to tre at mala ria.

Food Pre s ervation Boiling prese rves vegeta bles. Pre s erv ing ve get a bles by stori ng in as h. Pre s erv ing se eds with crus hed tobac co and nee m le aves.

Boiling dest roys cells a nd reta rds met a bolic activity and bact e rial growth. Ash a bso rbs moist ure, thus reta rding bacter ia growth. Tobac co and nee m lea ves conta in chem icals that kill or re pel s eed pests.

Susta ina ble A griculture Growing crops under the ms angu tre e. Cha nnel irrigat ion a nd or ganic composting to grow crops.

Ms angu tre e drops leaves in the rainy se as on, thus prov ide comp os t and nitroge n for the crops. Eliminates use of fertilizers and provides yea r-long farming.

Results

Traditional Healer• 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

Data Analysis• Post-colonial framework: hybridization of ideas from Western and   indigenous perspectives (Carter, 2004)

Vegetable Seller•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

Methods

Data Sources• Audio and video recorded interviews with traditional healers and elders• Audio-recorded interviews with Malawian educators

Dr. Chinkhuntha: Freedom Gardens• Blends beneficial traditional  ecological knowledge with  western science - Channel irrigation using      gravity - Organic Gardening

- Composting - Minimal resources (e.g. no inorganic fertilizers)

Traditional Farmer• 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

Indigenous Knowledge & Western Science

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).