Africa Indigenous Knowledge Research Network (AIKRN) – The Africa Indigenous Knowledge Research Network was created to undertake research geared towards identifying, recentering and harnessing Indigenous knowledges in Africa.

Africa Indigenous Knowledge Research Network

We are dedicated to uncovering, amplifying, and applying Africa’s rich Indigenous knowledge systems from deep community wisdom and traditional practices to innovative solutions for today’s social, economic, and environmental challenges

News

Visit our News section to explore fresh insights, stories, and knowledge rooted in Africa’s rich Indigenous heritage.

Podcasts

Explore our podcast section to listen to powerful discussions and expert insights on Indigenous knowledge, culture, and innovation across Africa.

Events

Stay informed about conferences, workshops, webinars, and community gatherings focused on Indigenous research.

Blogs

Visit our blog for thought-provoking articles, research and stories that explore the relevance of Indigenous knowledge systems today.

Upcoming Programmes

Ubuntu Translanguaging: Valuing Local Languages in Community-Engaged Digital Storytelling with isiXhosa-speaking Cape Flats Residents to Address Environmental Disaster Risks

Webinar
Overview:

The webinar will explore how local languages and community storytelling can support climate resilience and promote more inclusive knowledge production.

Scheduled for Monday, March 30, the session will run from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST (3:00 PM – 5:00 PM GMT) and will feature researchers from Carleton University. The discussion will highlight research conducted with isiXhosa-speaking communities in the Cape Flats, where residents created nine digital stories documenting their experiences with environmental disasters such as flooding, drought, and fires.

The webinar will emphasize Ubuntu, an African philosophy of interconnectedness and shared responsibility, as a key framework for understanding community resilience. It will also discuss translanguaging as a decolonial research approach, encouraging the use of indigenous languages, cultural narratives, and creative expression to enrich environmental research and amplify local voices.

The session will be led by Prof. Samuel Ojo Oloruntoba and Prof. Tsitsi Mpofu-Mketwa of Carleton University, who will share insights on how community-engaged storytelling and multilingual approaches can help address environmental disaster risks and strengthen local resilience.

📅 Date: Monday, March 30
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (EST) | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (GMT)
📍 Location: Online via Zoom

Participation is free and open to anyone interested in indigenous knowledge, environmental resilience, language, and community research. Similar AIKRN webinars aim to create dialogue around indigenous knowledge systems and sustainable development solutions.

Want to register?
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Highlights of the The Maiden Annual International Conference

The inaugural international conference, organized by the Africa Indigenous Knowledge Research Network (AIKRN) in partnership with Carleton University and Kyambogo University, focused on the theme:
“Unlocking Sustainable Solutions for Employment and Entrepreneurship: Empowering African Youth Through Indigenous Knowledge.”

Held at the Imperial Beach and Resort Hotel, the event aimed to spotlight Indigenous African knowledge as a solution to unemployment, poverty, climate change, and other socio-economic challenges.