Towards validating research discourses among Bantu in Africa: obuntu bulamu as a possible transforming agent.

Abstract

A review of literature about the effects of Western research discourse in Africa is outlined in this chapter. The paper shows that the issues identified have engendered campaigns for a need to transform research in Africa. The premise of this paper is that African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) could provide valid alternative discourses and paradigms for research in African environments. This paper proposes "obuntubulamu" as an alternative discourse among African Bantu. It also illuminates upon "obuntubulamu"-Western paradigms that have worked. This paper concludes with challenges that call for further research in using "obuntubulamu" as a research paradigm.