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Bibliometric Analysis and Systematic Review of Indigenous Knowledge from a Comparative African Perspective: 1990–2020

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  • Olgah Lerato Malapane

    (Department of Geography and Environmental Management and Energy Studies, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, Johannesburg 2093, South Africa)

  • Walter Musakwa

    (Department of Geography and Environmental Management and Energy Studies, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, Johannesburg 2093, South Africa)

  • Nelson Chanza

    (Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Civil Engineering and the Built Environment, Doornfontein Campus, University of Johannesburg, Beit Street, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa)

  • Verena Radinger-Peer

    (Institute for Sustainable Economic Development, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Feistmantelstraße 4, 1190 Vienna, Austria)

Abstract

Globally, indigenous knowledge (IK) has been shown to be a critical factor in economic growth and sustainable development and is as important as scientific knowledge. However, when it comes to the African narrative, IK research still seems to fall short, even with the great recognition and interest it is attracting. IK has always been underprivileged and marginalized, treated as an unsubstantiated type of knowledge that cannot provide any scientific solutions. Consequently, the aim of this paper is to provide an insight into the importance of IK research from a comparative African perspective from 1990 to 2020. The paper used a combination of bibliometric analysis and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol to provide a comprehensive view of IK research. The VOSviewer software was used to provide a visualization of the bibliometric analysis through network maps. The findings suggest that while IK is a globally recognized concept, the African narrative is missing and not told by Africans. Most researched studies on IK in Africa are on ethnobotany, customs, traditions, agroforestry, and agriculture. Moreover, most of the IK research is from Southern Africa. There is a need for the integration of IK and scientific knowledge to develop well-informed approaches, methodologies, and frameworks that cater to indigenous communities and resilient ecological development. The research outcomes provide valuable insights for future research trends; they further highlight opportunities for building research partnerships for strengthening policy generation and implementation.

Suggested Citation

  • Olgah Lerato Malapane & Walter Musakwa & Nelson Chanza & Verena Radinger-Peer, 2022. "Bibliometric Analysis and Systematic Review of Indigenous Knowledge from a Comparative African Perspective: 1990–2020," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-20, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:8:p:1167-:d:873306
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