African Pedagogy Research Articles

Pedagogy of Sagacity

Philosophy of education is a compulsory course in teacher education in Africa. African scholars have observed that this course is predominantly approached from Western pedagogical perspective hence alienating African students of education. There is lack of African pedagogy responsive to the African context of education as noted by a national commission on education in Kenya. This calls for a search for African pedagogy to instigate paradigm shift from Western pedagogy to Afrocentric pedagogy. Sage Philosophy,a trend in African Philosophy is analyzed in this study in attempt to develop African pedagogy. The method used is philosophical argument based on critical conceptual analysis. The study findings result in an African pedagogy described as ‘pedagogy of sagacity’ which is proposed as an African approach to philosophy of education. The thesis of this essay is that trends in African philosophy should influence pedagogical theorizing of education in Africa.

Proverbs as Theoretical Frameworks for Lifelong Learning in Indigenous African Education

Every aspect of a community’s life and values in indigenous Africa provide the theoretical framework for education. The holistic worldview of the traditional system places a strong emphasis on the centrality of the human element and orature in the symmetrical relationship between life and learning. This article focuses on proverbs and the words that form them as important sources of, and foundation for, indigenous African education. The article analyzes proverbs and the power of the spoken word in indigenous African pedagogy. The analysis is used to argue for an increased articulation of indigenous African knowledge into the dialogue on the inclusion of non-Western traditions in the theoretical frameworks for adult education. The article uses the traditional contexts of Ogu and Yoruba of West Africa but draws examples mostly from Yoruba proverbs to present their epistemological significance in traditional African education.

Learning to be active citizens: lessons of traditional Africa for lifelong learning

The emphasis on lifelong learning is well placed given the rapidly changing pace of technological, social, economic and political realities of the modern world. This rapid change has led to globalization that now dictates the pace of almost everything else in the human community, including education. This paper examines the concept of lifelong learning within the context of indigenous African pedagogy and how it is different from its present understanding. Through an examination of some practices and institutions, the paper argues that the concept of lifelong learning in traditional African societies was the foundation for active citizenship and indeed for becoming a revered ancestor.

The Influence of West African Pedagogy upon the Education of New Orleans Jazz Musicians

The Influence of West African Pedagogy upon the Education of New Orleans Jazz Musicians