Kudla umndeni kwothamele izibankwa: reflections of an African scholar

Abstract

This paper details my efforts as an Indigenous African scholar to indigenize the research process – from conception to publication – across three data collection sites in South Africa. To respect the vulnerability and culture of the participants, Zulu and Xhosa cultural values like hlonipha (respect) and ubuntu (humanness) were incorporated into the research process. This paper also details my reflections on positionality, especially the sense of in-betweenness that came with a fluid sense of belonging and identity while researching my own culture. While there are certain advantages that a cultural insider possesses in terms of access to closed-off and historically oppressed communities, these privileges also come with the added responsibility of portraying these communities with the dignity and respect they deserve. This paper further discusses the pragmatic realities of decolonized research and offers insights and discussion for other indigenous researchers hoping to conduct research in their home communities.

Keywords:

• Emic research
• Indigenous methodologies
• decolonization
• insider/outsider positionality
• African cultural values

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nokwanda Ndlovu

Nokwanda Ndlovu is a 3rd-year doctoral student studying counseling psychology at Purdue University. Kwanda is from Durban, South Africa and her research interests center on indigenous knowledge systems and decolonization in South Africa, particularly as they relate to healing, family systems, and child development.