Infusing Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKSs)in Technology Education: A Case of Food Processing and Preservation in a Rural Agricultural-based Economy
Joel Timire 
& Bekithemba Dube
Issue: Vol.6 No. 2 February 2025 Article 2 pp. 21-35
DOI : https://doi.org/10.38159/jelt.2025622 | Published online 12th February, 2025.
© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
This empirical paper discussed the lack of indigenous knowledge systems in the senior phase Technology education syllabus with reference to food processing and preservation for a sustainable rural agricultural-based economy. This omission robs learners of their heritage and history as they may not be able to apply generational knowledge to perpetuate food security in a rural agricultural-based economy. The paper was grounded in critical emancipatory theory, which argued for the inclusivity of all forms of knowledge based on the history and aspirations of a people. In this qualitative paper, structured interviews were administered to 4 Technology education lecturers from 4 Universities of Technology (UoTs) in South Africa. Participants were purposively selected and responded to 2 questions. Thematic analysis was used to analyse and present the data. The study found that IKS broadens learners’ educational experiences from which the development of appropriate technologies could emerge. IKS could be infused into the curriculum through the involvement of knowledgeable community resource persons. The study recommended the inclusion of indigenous knowledge systems in the Technology education syllabus to empower learners from rural agricultural-based economies. The study provides insights into the nature of knowledge and skills relevant in dynamic and evolving economies for curriculum planners and research scholars.
Keywords: Appropriate Technology, Food Processing and Preservation, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Traditional Practices.
Alsawmahi, Omer N, Fahad Y Al-Juhaimi, Abdullah M Alhamdan, Kashif Ghafoor, Isam A Mohamed Ahmed, Bakri H Hassan, Kheled A Ehmed, Diaeldin Abdelkarim, Mahmoud Younis, and Nasser Alashmawe. “Enzyme Activity, Sugar Composition, Microbial Growth and Texture of Fresh Barhi Dates as Affected by Modified Atmosphere Packaging.” Journal of Food Science and Technology 55 (2018): 4492–4504.
Amutha, S, and S Sridhar. “Green Synthesis of Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Using Leaves of Glycosmis Mauritiana and Their Antibacterial Activity against Human Pathogens.” Journal of Innovations in Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences 5, no. 2 (2018): 22–26.
Antonio, Robert J. “The Normative Foundations of Emancipatory Theory: Evolutionary versus Pragmatic Perspectives.” American Journal of Sociology 94, no. 4 (1989): 721–48.
Austin, Jon, and Andrew Hickey. “Incorporating Indigenous Knowledge into the Curriculum: Responses of Science Teacher Educators.” The International Journal of Science in Society 2, no. 4 (2011): 139–52.
Birt, Linda, Suzanne Scott, Debbie Cavers, Christine Campbell, and Fiona Walter. “Member Checking: A Tool to Enhance Trustworthiness or Merely a Nod to Validation.” Qualitative Health Research 26, no. 13 (November 10, 2016): 1802–11. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732316654870.
Boyland, Judith R. “A Social Constructivist Approach to the Gathering of Empirical Data.” Australian Counselling Research Journal 13, no. 2 (2019): 30–34.
Brincat, Shannon. “On the Methods of Critical Theory: Advancing the Project of Emancipation beyond the Early Frankfurt School.” International Relations 26, no. 2 (2012): 218–45.
Cai, Zengxiao, Rechana Remadevi, Md Abdullah Al Faruque, Mohan Setty, Linpeng Fan, Abu Naser Md Ahsanul Haque, and Maryam Naebe. “Fabrication of a Cost-Effective Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Citratus) Membrane with Antibacterial Activity for Dye Removal.” RSC Advances 9, no. 58 (2019): 34076–85.
Carm, Ellen. “Inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS)–A Precondition for Sustainable Development and an Integral Part of Environmental Studies.” Journal of Education and Research 4, no. 1 (2014): 58–76.
Chacha, James S, Liyan Zhang, Chigozie E Ofoedu, Rashid A Suleiman, Joachim M Dotto, Ume Roobab, Adedoyin O Agunbiade, Haile Tesfaye Duguma, Beatha T Mkojera, and Sayed Mahdi Hossaini. “Revisiting Non-Thermal Food Processing and Preservation Methods—Action Mechanisms, Pros and Cons: A Technological Update (2016–2021).” Foods 10, no. 6 (2021): 1430.
Department of Basic Education. Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement: Technology. Pretoria, SA: Department of Basic Education, 2012.
Freyenhagen, Fabian. “Critical Theory: Self-Reflexive Theorizing and Struggles for Emancipation,” 2018.
Gilani-Williams, Fawzia. “Islamic Critical Theory: A Tool for Emancipatory Education.” International Journal of Islamic Thought 5 (2014).
Girija, D, K Deepa, Francis Xavier, Irin Antony, and P R Shidhi. “Analysis of Cow Dung Microbiota—a Metagenomic Approach,” 2013.
Given, Lisa M. The Sage Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research Methods. Sage Publications, 2008.
Gupta, Kartikey Kumar, Kamal Rai Aneja, and Deepanshu Rana. “Current Status of Cow Dung as a Bioresource for Sustainable Development.” Bioresources and Bioprocessing 3 (2016): 1–11.
Henri, Dominique A, Jennifer F Provencher, Ella Bowles, Jessica J Taylor, Jade Steel, Carmen Chelick, Jesse N Popp, Steven J Cooke, Trina Rytwinski, and Deborah McGregor. “Weaving Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Western Sciences in Terrestrial Research, Monitoring and Management in Canada: A Protocol for a Systematic Map.” Ecological Solutions and Evidence 2, no. 2 (2021): e12057.
Huho, Julius M. “Reducing Food Loss and Waste through Innovative Food Preservation Technologies Applied by Women in Rural Areas in Kenya.” International Journal of Latest Research in Humanities and Social Science (IJLRHSS) Vol 3, no. 1 (2020): 76–82.
Ibnouf, Fatma Osman. “The Value of Women’s Indigenous Knowledge in Food Processing and Preservation for Achieving Household Food Security in Rural Sudan.” Journal of Food Research 1, no. 1 (2012): 238.
Jans, C, D W Mulwa Kaindi, and Leo Meile. “Innovations in Food Preservation in Pastoral Zones.” Rev Sci Tech 35, no. 2 (2016): 597–610.
Javed, Zoya, Gyan Datta Tripathi, Mansi Mishra, Meghana Gattupalli, and Kavya Dashora. “Cow Dung Extract Mediated Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Agricultural Applications.” Scientific Reports 12, no. 1 (2022): 20371.
Kırgız, Mehmet Serkan, Jahangir Mirza, Stanca Cuc, Doina Prodan, Codruţa Saroşi, Ioana Perhaiţă, Rahela Carpa, Marioara Moldovan, Dorin Popa, and Simona Varvara. “Physico-Antibacterial Feature and SEM Morphology of Bio-Hydraulic Lime Mortars Incorporating Nano-Graphene Oxide and Binary Combination of Nano-Graphene Oxide with Nano Silver, Fly Ash, Zinc, and Titanium Powders.” Buildings 13, no. 1 (2023): 172.
Krishnadevi, K, S Devaraju, S Sriharshitha, M Alagar, and Y Keerthi Priya. “Environmentally Sustainable Rice Husk Ash Reinforced Cardanol Based Polybenzoxazine Bio-Composites for Insulation Applications.” Polymer Bulletin 77, no. 5 (2020): 2501–20.
Lievens, Bart, John E Hallsworth, Maria I Pozo, Zouhaier Ben Belgacem, Andrew Stevenson, Kris A Willems, and Hans Jacquemyn. “Microbiology of Sugar‐rich Environments: Diversity, Ecology and System Constraints.” Environmental Microbiology 17, no. 2 (2015): 278–98.
Loubser, J A. “Unpacking the Expression” Indigenous Knowledge Systems”.” Indilinga African Journal of Indigenous Knowledge Systems 4, no. 1 (2005): 74–88.
Mandikonza, Caleb. “Integrating Indigenous Knowledge Practices as Context and Concepts for the Learning of Curriculum Science: A Methodological Exploration.” Southern African Journal of Environmental Education 35 (2019).
Masekoameng, M R, and M C Molotja. “Contribution Of Indigenous Food Preservation And Processing Practices To Food Security Of Rural Households In Sekhukhune District Of Limpopo Province, South Africa.” African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development 23, no. 7 (2023): 24115–35.
Mbah, Marcellus, Sandra Ajaps, and Petra Molthan-Hill. “A Systematic Review of the Deployment of Indigenous Knowledge Systems towards Climate Change Adaptation in Developing World Contexts: Implications for Climate Change Education.” Sustainability 13, no. 9 (2021): 4811.
McKinley, Elizabeth, and Georgina Stewart. “Out of Place: Indigenous Knowledge in the Science Curriculum.” Second International Handbook of Science Education, 2012, 541–54.
Mertens, Donna M. “Transformative Paradigm: Mixed Methods and Social Justice.” Journal of Mixed Methods Research 1, no. 3 (2007): 212–25.
Mizzi, Luke, Daniele Maniscalco, Sotiria Gaspari, Christina Chatzitzika, Ruben Gatt, and V P Valdramidis. “Assessing the Individual Microbial Inhibitory Capacity of Different Sugars against Pathogens Commonly Found in Food Systems.” Letters in Applied Microbiology 71, no. 3 (2020): 251–58.
Moor-Smith, Maxwell, Raymond Li, and Omar Ahmad. “The World’s Most Poisonous Mushroom, Amanita Phalloides, Is Growing in BC.” British Columbia Medical Journal 61, no. 1 (2019).
Mpofu, Dephin, and Collins Ogutu Miruka. “Indigenous Knowledge Management Transfer Systems across Generations in Zimbabwe: IKS in Other Contexts.” Indilinga African Journal of Indigenous Knowledge Systems 8, no. 1 (2009): 85–94.
Mudaly, Ronicka. “Towards Decolonising a Module in the Pre-Service Science Teacher Education Curriculum: The Role of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Creating Spaces for Transforming the Curriculum.” Journal of Education (University of KwaZulu-Natal), no. 74 (2018): 47–66.
Murithi, Tim. “An African Perspective on Peace Education: Ubuntu Lessons in Reconciliation.” International Review of Education 55 (2009): 221–33.
Okoye, J, and K Oni. “Promotion of Indigenous Food Preservation and Processing Knowledge and the Challenge of Food Security in Africa.” Journal of Food Security 5, no. 3 (2017): 75–87.
Rahman, Mohammad Shafiur. “Food Preservation: An Overview.” Handbook of Food Preservation, 2020, 7–18.
Raja, M K Mohan Maruga, Ravi Manne, and Agilandeswari Devarajan. “Benefits of Cow Dung-a Human Ignored Gift.,” 2021.
Sharma, Bharti, and Maneesha Singh. “Isolation and Characterization of Bacteria from Cow Dung of Desi Cow Breed on Different Morpho-Biochemical Parameters in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.” Int. J. Adv. Pharm. Biol. Chem 4, no. 2 (2015): 276–81.
Shizha, Edward. “The Indigenous Knowledge Systems and the Curriculum.” In African Indigenous Knowledge and the Disciplines, 113–29. Brill, 2014.
Sivasankar, B. Food Processing and Preservation. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd., 2002.
Squires, Vicki. “Thematic Analysis.” In Varieties of Qualitative Research Methods. , edited by J.M. Okoko, S. Tunison, and K.D. Walker, 463–68. Springer Texts in Education, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04394-9_72.
Tanyanyiwa, V. I., and M. Chikwanha. “The Role of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in the Management of Forest Resources in Mugabe Area, Masvingo, Zimbabwe.” Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa 13, no. 3 (2011): 132–49.
Tharakan, John. “Indigenous Knowledge Systems for Appropriate Technology Development.” In Indigenous People. InTech, 2017. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.69889.
Tom, Tom. “Decades of Land and Agrarian Reform in Zimbabwe: A Review of Transformative Social Policy Lessons for Other African Countries.” The African Review, October 14, 2024, 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1163/1821889x-bja10143.
Wilujeng, I., and Z. K. Prasetyo. “Elaborating Indigenous Knowledge in the Science Curriculum for the Cultural Sustainability.” Journal of Teacher Education for Sustainability 20, no. 2 (2018): 74–88.
Joel Timire is a lecturer in Mathematics and Technical Education with 34 years experience in education. He holds a PhD in Curriculum Studies from the University of Free State. He has extensively collaborated as a co-researcher with established researchers in the area of engineering teacher development. He is building his research profile under the tutelage of the Center for Diversity in Higher Education Research.
Bekithemba Dube is a full Professor in curriculum studies. He holds PhD in Curriculum Studies from the University Free State (UFS). He has written extensively on the area of Curriculum, Politics and Religion in Post colonial African countries. He has published more than 120 articles and book chapters in accredited journals in the past 6 years. He has successfully edited three books on curriculum, politics and religion and edited 4 special issues on education. He is currently the section editor for the Alternation Journal, Section Editor for the Research in Social Science and Technology Journal, Associate Editor E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences and Associate Editor for the e-Journal of Religious and Theology Studies all accredited with DHET. He has served as a Head of the Department for Education Foundation and Department of Curriculum Studies at UFS. He is a visiting Professor at Appalachian State University (USA) and he has received funding such as Thuthuka, the USDP award with Colorado State University (USA) and UKSADP with University of Highlands and Inlands (Scotland). He has received various excellent awards for being exceptional in research, teaching and engaged scholarship.
Timire, Joel and Bekithemba Dube. “Infusing Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKSs) in Technology Education: A Case of Food Processing and Preservation in a Rural Agricultural-based Economy.” Journal of Education and Learning Technology 6, no.2 (2025): 21-35. https://doi.org/10.38159/jelt.2025622
© 2025 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Featured