The indigenous African theory of knowledge and truth: example of the Ewe and Akan of Ghana

bibliographic database
Line

Periodical article

Title:	The indigenous African theory of knowledge and truth: example of the Ewe and Akan of Ghana
Author:	Dzobo, N.K.
Year:	1981
Periodical:	The Conch: A Biafran Journal of Literary and Cultural Analysis
Volume:	13
Issue:	1-2
Pages:	85-102
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Ghana
Subjects:	epistemology Bible translation African languages Akan Ewe
Abstract:	In the process of translating the Bible into the various African languages African concepts have been used to translate such biblical concepts as 'God', 'man', 'love', 'wisdom', 'truth', 'spirit', and 'renewal' as if they always mean the same thing in the two cultural traditions. Due to such assumptions of biblical translators some African concepts have been used to translate biblical ideas and this has resulted in some absurd equations in some cases. Thus the cultural authenticity of Africa has been buried under ignorance and false assumptions of biblical translators. This essay examines what the indigenous African culture conceives to be knowledge and truth. The examination is based on an analysis of the epistemic evidence as found in everyday speech and also in oral literature of the Ewe and Akan of Ghana. The analysis is concerned mainly with critical remarks, clarifications and definitions of epistemic terms. Some synthesis and interpretation of the analytical findings conclude this essay. Ref.