The struggle of African Indigenous knowledge systems in an age of globalization : a case for children's traditional games in South-Eastern Zimbabwe / Munyaradzi Mawere
Introduction -- Beneath African traditional culture -- Children's traditional games as Indigenous knowledge systems -- Study area and research problem -- Courtship/love games -- Games that increase creativity, accuracy and motor skills -- Games that teach endurance, determination and increase physical fitness -- Name games/games to remember names -- Games that teach vigilance, coordination and safety rules -- Games that teach hygiene and ethics of care -- Lullabies/soothing songs -- Counting games -- Swimming games -- Seasonal games -- Recreational and socialization games -- Hunting games
Summary
This is a comprehensive study and erudite description of the struggle of African Indigenous knowledge systems in an age of globalization, using in particular eighty-four traditional children's games in south-eastern Zimbabwe. The book is an informative and interesting anthropological account of rare African children's games at the risk of disappearing under globalization. The virtue of the book does not only lie in its modest philosophical questioning of those knowledge forms that consider themselves as superior to others, but in its healthy appreciation of the creative art forms of traditional literature that features in genres such as endangered children's traditional games. The book is a clarion call to Africans and the world beyond to come to the rescue of relegated and marginalized African creativity in the interest of future generations