Abstract

1
Indigenous Science, Ecological Sustainability,
and Education in Malawi Indigenous Science,
Ecological Sustainability, and Education in
Malawit Name
George Glasson, Associate Professor School of
Education glassong_at_vt.edu
Absalom Phiri, Graduate Assistant Ndalapa
Mhango, Graduate Assistant
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).
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.

• 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

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

• 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

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
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).

• 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