This study reveals that Fágúnwà, in his five novels, consciously adresses the issue of sustainable development through the use of indigenous knowledge. Fágúnwà, for instance, emphasises the utilisation of the Yorùbá indigenous knowledge, such as its medicine and health care, the indigenous corpus of folktales and fables, the indigenous technology among others, for sustainable development.
His inclusion of the moonlight tales in his novels is a weapon for sustainable development by inculcating the right virtues in the children and ensuring the subsistence of their indigenous culture. This will help the children to become good future leaders and members of the community. He encourages subsistence farming by all households in order to reduce hunger, unemployment and to inculcate hard work in the children.
This will lead to sustainable development of self-reliance in every family. Fágúnwà also espouses relationship with neighbouring and far away towns in order to acquire more knowledge for sustainable development. He supports voyage to gain knowledge on administration, management and peaceful existence. Àkàrà Ògùn, Olówó-aiyé, Ìrèké and Àdìtú all embark on expeditions to sustain their communities. These, among others, are Fágúnwà’s ways of projecting sustainable development through the Yorùbá indigenous knowledge.
Hence, this study concludes that Fágúnwà’s novels, through its reflection of the Yorùbá indigenous knowledge, project sustainable development. This means the Yorùbá indigenous knowledge if well employed will aid sustainable development. Therefore, the focus of this study on the reflection of indigenous knowledge and sustainable development in Fágúnwà novels, is believed, will instigate scholars to study more on the concept of indigenous knowledge, its significance and relevance to sustainable development.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Statement of the problem
1.3 Objectives of the study
1.4 Significance of the study
1.5 Scope of the study
1.6 Research Methodology
1.7 Evolution of Yorùbá Novels
Chapter 2 LITERATURE REVIEWAND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
2.1 Introduction
2.2 The Concept of Indigenous Knowledge
2.3 The Concept of Sustainable Development
2.4 Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Development
2.5 The Novels of Fágúnwà
2.6 Sources of Yorùbá Indigenous Knowledge
2.7 Classification of Indigenous Knowledge
2.8 Erosion of Indigenous Knowledge
2.9 The Indigenous Knowledge System
2.10 The Two Model of Sustainability
2.10.1 Environmental Sustainability
2.10.2 Economic Sustainability
2.10.3 Social Sustainability
2.10.4 Cultural Sustainability
Chapter 3 MANAGERIAL AND SCIENTIFIC BASED INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE IN FÁGÚNWÀ’S NOVELS
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Global Relationship or Partnership for Sustainability
3.2.1 Indigenous Exposure for sustainability
3.3 Community Development for Sustainability
3.3.1 Individual Contribution to Community Development
3.3.2 Communal Contribution to Community Development
3.4 Poverty Alleviation for Sustainability
3.4.1 Polygamy as causes of poverty
3.4.2 Enterprenuership And Self-reliance For Poverty Eradication
3.5 Indigenous Agriculture and Hunting for Sustainability
3.5.1 Indigenous Farming
3.5.2 Horticulture
3.5.3 Indigenous Hunting
3.6 Indigenous Healthcare and Medicine for Sustainability
3.6.1 Negligence Towards Health Issues
3.6.2 Indgenous Knowledge on Hygiene
3.6.3 Indigenous Knowledge on Dietary or Human Nutrition
3.6.4 Indigenous Energising Medicine
3.7 Indigenous Technology for Sustainability
3.7.1 Building Construction and Improvisation
3.8 Zoology for Sustainability
Chapter 4 HUMANITY BASED INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE IN FÁGÚNWÀ’S NOVELS
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Indigenous Education for Sustainability
4.2.1 Formal Education
4.2.2 Informal Education
4.2.3 Indigenous Guidance and Counseling
4.2.4 Indigenous Knownledge about the Unknown Situation
4.3 Indigenous Entertainment for Sustainability
4.3.1 Indigenous Festival as means of Entertainment
4.3.2 Indigenous Games as means of Entertainment
4.3.3 Indigenous Music as means of Entertainment
4.3.4 Indigenous Tales as means of Entertainment
4.4 Indigenous Religion
4.4.1 Belief in Olódùmarè and Deities
4.4.2 Propitiation
4.4.3 The Use of Indigenous Medicine and Magic
4.5 Indigenous Governance and Politics
4.5.1 Leadership
4.6 Indigenous Social Life
4.6.1 Indigenous Cosmetology
4.6.2 Indigenous Clothes
4.6.3 Indigenous Hospitality
4.6.4 Indigenous Marketing
Chapter 5 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Conclusion
5.2 Recommendation
Objectives and Research Themes
This study aims to examine the role of Yorùbá indigenous knowledge in fostering sustainable development as reflected in the novels of D.O. Fágúnwà. The central research question explores how the cultural heritage, philosophies, and traditional practices portrayed in these literary works serve as mechanisms to achieve long-term socio-economic, environmental, and cultural sustainability.
- Analysis of indigenous knowledge as a framework for community governance and sustainable development.
- Exploration of Yorùbá traditional practices in agriculture, medicine, and technology as models for modern challenges.
- Investigation of the symbolic and didactic nature of Fágúnwà’s novels in promoting social virtues and communal responsibility.
- Assessment of the impact of foreign ideologies on the erosion of indigenous knowledge and the necessity of its preservation.
Excerpt from the Book
3.6.2 Indgenous Knowledge on Hygiene
Fágúnwà also talks on hygiene as the Yorùbá believe that it plays a vital role on the issue of health care. This can be affirmed in one aphorism which says “ìmọ́tótó b‘orí àrùn mọ́lẹ̀, b’ọ́yẹ́ ti ń b‘orí oru” meaning that hygiene overpowers diseases, as harmattan overpowers heat. Clean environment has been the idea of the Yorùbá which they take with uttermost seriousness, and this, in a way reflects their indigeous knowledge on health care issues. They believe with good and clean sorrundings some of the diseases can be eradicated. He therefore, pionted at this in his novels, in Ìrìnkèrindò , Ìrìnkèrindò and his fellow men got to Èdìdàrẹ́’s town where they observed that the people of the town lacks hygiene:
“....èyin ọ̀rẹ́ mi, lọ́jọ́ tí mo ti dé inú ayé ń kò rí ìlú tí ó jẹ́ eléèrí bí ìlú yìí rí. Ìgbà tí a dé àárín ọjà gbogbo ibẹ̀ ń rùn ni, kò dàbí ẹni pé ẹnikẹ́ni gbá àárín ọjà náà rì í...( Ìrìnkèrindò p 38)
...my friend, ever since I have been in the world, I have never seen a dirty town as this town. When we got to the middle of the market every where smelled, it was like no one ever swept the market…
Summary of Chapters
Chapter 1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY: This chapter introduces the research context, defines indigenous knowledge, and outlines the evolution of Yorùbá novels as a reflection of societal values.
Chapter 2 LITERATURE REVIEWAND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK: This section reviews existing literature on sustainable development and indigenous knowledge, establishing the theoretical pillars (three/four pillar models) used for analysis.
Chapter 3 MANAGERIAL AND SCIENTIFIC BASED INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE IN FÁGÚNWÀ’S NOVELS: This chapter analyzes how indigenous systems of management, agriculture, and healthcare in the novels contribute to achieving environmental and economic sustainability.
Chapter 4 HUMANITY BASED INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE IN FÁGÚNWÀ’S NOVELS: This chapter explores human-centered aspects like education, entertainment, religion, and social life as vital components for achieving cultural and social stability.
Chapter 5 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: This concluding chapter synthesizes the research findings, reaffirming the role of Fágúnwà's literature in advocating for the preservation and implementation of indigenous knowledge for future sustainability.
Keywords
Indigenous knowledge, Indigenous knowledge system, Sustainable development, Fágúnwà’s novels, Yorùbá culture, Environmental sustainability, Economic sustainability, Social sustainability, Cultural sustainability, Traditional medicine, Community development, Oral tradition, Literature and sustainability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research explores the reflection of indigenous knowledge in the novels of D.O. Fágúnwà and examines how these traditional practices contribute to achieving sustainable development in society.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The work covers themes such as community development, sustainable agriculture, indigenous healthcare, governance, education, traditional religion, and social life within the Yorùbá context.
What is the main objective of the study?
The primary objective is to demonstrate that Yorùbá indigenous knowledge possesses profound, organized systems that were used historically to manage society and can be revitalized to achieve modern sustainability goals.
Which scientific methods are applied in this work?
The researcher employs literary content analysis and close reading of Fágúnwà's five major novels to extract and interpret reflections of indigenous knowledge systems in relation to development theories.
What subjects are discussed in the main body?
The main body focuses on managerial and scientific knowledge (agriculture, health, technology, hunting) and humanity-based knowledge (education, religion, social life, governance) as depicted in the selected novels.
Which keywords characterize this publication?
Key terms include indigenous knowledge, sustainability, Yorùbá tradition, Fágúnwà’s novels, cultural heritage, and socio-economic development.
How does Fágúnwà represent indigenous education in his works?
Fágúnwà portrays education through both formal sage-led mentorship and informal societal upbringing, emphasizing character development, moral integrity, and practical skills as the foundation of sustainable society.
What role does the 'Four Pillars of Sustainability' play in this analysis?
The model is used to argue that true sustainability cannot be achieved through economic, environmental, and social dimensions alone; it must incorporate culture to address the complexity of modern societal needs.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Oluwadamilare Kohode (Autor:in), 2016, Indigenous knowledge and sustainable development in the novels of Daniel Fagunwa, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/337707
