Ubuntu as a foundation for researching African indigenous psychology

Abstract

The question of how researchers work with and select research methods is complex. For researchers researching African indigenous culture, the complexity takes specific forms, usually forms that are embedded within the values and beliefs of research participants and their indigenous communities. In order to honour, indigenous methodologies, researchers need to approach cultural protocols, values and behaviours as an integral part of methodology. Methodological challenges that may be faced by researchers are those associated with acceptable scholarly psychological research, from within a specific discipline as well as from within the particular indigenous community. The article intends to highlight ubuntu (African philosophy of life) as a foundation for an African centred, indigenous psychology, research method carried out by indigenous researchers working from or within indigenous communities.