The International Conference on Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP) strives to create a collaborative atmosphere of transdisciplinary curiosity, in which conference attendees are encouraged to grapple with how knowledge practices are established and what this means for privileging indigenous knowledge systems. This year’s conference was no different. The 4^th IKSP was hosted in Cape Town, South Africa, between 22 and 24 October.

From left: Prof Thinandavha Mashau (Deputy Dean, College of Human Sciences – CHS), Prof Zethu Nkosi (Executive Dean, CHS), Prof Shahnaaz Suffla (Acting Head: ISHS), Prof Elli Nur Hayati (Ahmad Dahlan University), Prof Puleng Segalo (Incumbent, Chief Albert Luthuli Research Chair), Dr Teresa G. de Guzman (University of the Philippines), Prof Azwihangwisi Mavhandu-Mudzusi (Director, School of Social Sciences), Prof Haidar Eid (University of Al-Aqsa and University of Johannesburg)

This was the first time the conference had been held on the African continent. Organised under the theme ‘The Politics of Knowledge’, and co-hosted by the University of South Africa, Ahmad Dahlan University and the University of the Philippines, Manila, the 4^th IKSP took seriously questions of coloniality within the knowledge-making enterprise. The open, dialogical form of the conference proceedings meant that a commitment to addressing these questions was reflected in both the content and the structure of the conference.

On the first day of the conference, attendees were greeted by Prof Shahnaaz Suffla, the Acting Head of the Institute for Social and Health Sciences, University of South Africa. This was followed by a message delivered by Prof Zerish Zethu Nkosi, the Vice Principal of the University of South Africa’s Research, Postgraduate Studies, Innovation and Commercialisation. Following a welcome message from the three host partners, as well as a fascinating history of the IKSP delivered by Dr Ma. Teresa G. De Guzman of the University of the Philippines, Manila, Prof Puleng Segalo from the University of South Africa delivered her stirring keynote address, ‘On mourning and dreaming: Reimagining and reclaiming our sense of being’. Through a combination of rigour and poetic insight, Prof. Segalo’s presentation unpacked how the colonial wound operates through a combination of epistemological and direct violence. Her presentation also took seriously what mourning and dreaming beyond this kind of violence means for the decolonial struggle. Many audience members expressed how moved they were by Prof Segalo’s intervention.

Prof Segalo, University of South Africa (Unisa)

Following Prof Segalo’s keynote, Dr De Guzman presented her invited plenary address entitled ‘Preserving lives and legacies: Integrating indigenous knowledge with modern technologies for sustainable disaster response, forensic science, and victim identification’. Speaking directly to particular conjunctures that mark our time, the plenary address deftly covered a number of disciplinary and epistemological standpoints – combining the empirical with the political in a manner wonderfully suited to the conference theme.

The various presentations that took place on the first day of the conference addressed several interconnected concerns related to indigenous knowledge systems, including pedagogy, spirituality and culture. Each presentation was given in an atmosphere characterised by critical and open engagements, in which – from varying standpoints – audience members and presenters alike made connections between a range of pertinent socio-epistemic concerns.

Dr Teresa G. de Guzman (University of the Philippines)

The second day of the conference began with a welcome message from Prof Bosire Onyancha from the University of South Africa. This was followed by a screening of ‘Returning to Zarnouqa’, a short film documenting Palestinian dispossession, genocide, resistance and the demand to return. Following the screening of this powerful film, Prof Haidar Eid – who features prominently in the film – delivered his keynote address entitled ‘The othering of Gaza’. Prof Eid, who is affiliated with Al-Aqsa University and the University of Johannesburg, discussed the ongoing genocide in Palestine. He noted how scholasticide – the destruction of education, educators and knowledge systems – forms part of this genocide. Prof Eid’s combination of passion and fortitude resulted in dialogue among conference attendees that was duly politicised, compassionate and attuned to the linkages between knowledge-making and life-making.

Following Prof Eid’s keynote address, researchers and community members across Johannesburg and Cape Town took part in a Community Engagement Symposium, which entailed a lively discussion that sought to bridge knowledge-making practices in universities and communities. The symposium not only considered the politics of knowledge-making, but also how community-university knowledges can inform our political practices and commitments. As with the first day of the conference, the presentations that followed the symposium covered an array of highly relevant issues within indigenous knowledge systems, including education, human and nature ecologies, as well as health and wellbeing.

Prof Haidar Eid (University of Al-Aqsa and University of Johannesburg)

On the third and final day of the conference, following a greeting delivered by Prof Nkosi, Prof Rosa Cordillera A. Castillo of the University of Brennen delivered her rousing keynote address. Entitled ‘Solidarity and decolonial ethics in practice: Crafting just and liberatory worlds’, her address was followed by a response delivered by Prof Azwihangwisi Mavhandu-Mudzusi from the University of South Africa. The exchange between Prof Castillo and Prof Mavhandu-Mudzusi grappled with the global implications of the coloniality of knowledge. Through solidarity and an ethics of care, this dialogue sought to imagine beyond coloniality’s violent constitution.

Prof. Rosa Cordillera A. Castillo of the University of Brennen

Following the highly enriching discussions led by Prof Castillo and Prof Mavhandu-Mudzusi, audience members were treated to a theatrical production entitled ‘Ukuphemfula-ngomphemfulo: Movement and stagnation for Black female academics’, performed by Luthando Ngazile Ngema, Siphiwe Motloung, Ongezwa Nomthokozisi Mbele and Pumelela Nqelenga. The performance – which was, for many, a conference highlight – beautifully articulated moments of struggle, joy and fortitude faced by many Black female academics in South Africa. Following the performance, audience members and the performers took part in wonderfully engaging dialogue.

After lunch, as on the first two days of the conference, the various conference presentations engaged in issues of decolonisation, gender and sexuality, revival and sustainability. These presentations were followed by an inspiring closing ceremony which was filled with music, laughter, reflection and a very moving closing address delivered by Prof Mohamed Seedat of the University of South Africa.  

The 4^th IKSP offered a platform for undertaking politicised engagements on different issues relating to indigenous knowledge systems. A number of conference attendees expressed that they left with a sense of inspiration and connection. There was also a sense of the work that lies ahead for those invested in privileging indigenous knowledge systems within and for a more just world.

Authors: 4^th IKSP Team