Exploring the Development of Indigenous Technologies: A Survey of Databases

Abstract

Indigenous technologies, as part of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), and the call to protect the rights of indigenous people have become part of the development agenda that has a bearing on the school curriculum. This happens against certain historical orientations that have brushed aside the thriving of IKS. For instance, there exists a skewed orientation that technology is not known to indigenous cultures. But Serote (1998) alerts us that technology is not the exclusive property of industrialised societies as indigenous cultures are also inventors and custodians of technology. Indigenous technologies are described in terms of looms, textile, jewellery and brass-work, agriculture, fishing, forestry, resource exploitation, architecture, medicine and pharmacy, etc. (Odora Hoppers, 1998). The contributions of indigenous cultures to this world’s technological development can thus not be overemphasised. The general approach to technology attempts to deface this contribution. The colonial practices have contributed to this especially in developing and/or underdeveloped nations. Gloria Emeagwali (1999), Odora Hoppers (1993; 1998) and Seepe (1999) concur that colonialism has played a role to subjugate indigenous technologies.