African indigenous knowledge: Philosophy in history and history in philosophy

Rationale of Study – This paper delves into the interconnectedness of African indigenous knowledge, situating its historical roots and the inherent philosophy embedded in its practice. African indigenous knowledge encompasses formulating a definition of knowledge in an African context and the justification of knowledge, which has its stand on cultural, linguistic, aphorism, and proverbial content. Scholars, however, argue that its historical foundation lies in the depths of time, tracing back to the ancient civilisations that thrived across the continent. On the other hand, its philosophical discourse serves as the guiding force behind the practices and beliefs of various communities. Within this purview, this paper sets out to close this gap.Methodology – This paper adopts primary and secondary data sources, including oral information, books, articles, and journals. However, it uses argumentative and analytic philosophical and historical inquiry methods to highlight that African indigenous knowledge is pivotal in preserving historical and philosophical insights.Findings – The study finds an interlink between history and philosophy in advancing African indigenous knowledge and its practice of knowing and justifying the indubitable truth that cannot be objectively attained in Western epistemology.Implications – The study contributes to the existing debate that the wisdom embedded in proverbs, myths, and folklore is a repository of philosophical principles, offering guidance on ethics, social harmony, and the relationship between humanity and nature through historical insights.Originality – The paper concludes that African indigenous knowledge has its own social and cultural dimension. It addresses the problem of knowledge by dividing its domain into rational, empirical, and mystical components, solving the problem of justification in the African context.