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 Periodical article |
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| Title: | The role of mathematics and scientific thought in Africa: a Renaissance perspective |
| Authors: | Rambane, Daniel Thanyani Mashige, Mashudu C. |
| Year: | 2007 |
| Periodical: | International Journal of African Renaissance Studies |
| Volume: | 2 |
| Issue: | 2 |
| Pages: | 183-199 |
| Language: | English |
| Geographic term: | Africa |
| Subjects: | mathematics indigenous knowledge |
| External link: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/18186870701751681 |
| Abstract: | This article examines the centrality of mathematics and scientific thought in sociocultural, human and intellectual development in African societies. Evidence is presented which refutes the theory that Africans had no 'intelligible sense of numeracy' before contact with the West, and which demonstrates that the propagation of this myth was part of the larger colonial project to marginalize and 'other-ize' African knowledge systems. Tracing Africa's early contributions to mathematics and scientific thought forces a shift from the standard Western-based approach to pedagogy in this field. It renders a subject that is perceived and presented as alien to African culture more accessible to African learners. The article pays particular attention to ancient African mathematical artefacts, the art of counting, riddles and puzzles, sand drawing, and games. It argues that, ultimately, acknowledging the long history of mathematics and scientific thought in Africa is a step in foregrounding African epistemologies in knowledge production, human and social development and towards the realization of the African Renaissance. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract] |
