Narrative research across cultures: Epistemological concerns in Africa

Narratives among Bantu in Africa are complicated by introductions of Western knowledge such as Information and Communications Technology. Narrative research suffers from and is challenged by the inferiorities due to colonialism and by African academia that rejects African Indigenous Knowledge Systems. Narrative research about Information and Communications Technology among Bantu requires a combination of Western methodology in the context of Afrocentric approaches, such as Ubuntu, to yield authentic and valid data. The challenge in introducing Western knowledge such as Information and Communications Technology into Bantu communities is to develop research hybrids that recognise Bantu Indigenous Knowledge Systems and use Western knowledge, with sensitivity to cultural biases. The other challenge is for Indigenous Africans to get involved in serious research to develop their own Information and Communications Technology.