Locating the status of indigenous knowledge in the contemporary world

Abstract

This paper offers a reflection on the epistemological perspectives concerning Indigenous Knowledge (IK) and issues that coincide with indigenous cultural preservation in the age of globalization. The arguments were derived from several academic articles and contending paradigmatic analyses from various intellectuals. I analyzed three issues concerning the clash between IK and globalization. First, the globalization of knowledge caused a dichotomy between IK and Western Knowledge (WK) because WK is often viewed as a source of “legitimate” knowledge, and Western scientists viewed IK as “unscientific.” Second is the rise and fall of IK. 20th-century scholars were dismissive of IK, but recent literature countered the dominant development discourse, and the emerging research on IK “gives voices” to the marginalized. However, the influence of globalization resulted in the slow deterioration of IK and posed a threat to indigenous peoples’ culture. Third is the developmental research and preservation of IK brought by modernity. In recent literature, IK is viewed as a vital component in the development process. But with the capitalist and neo-liberalist characteristics of the contemporary world, where commodification and bastardization of culture are rampant, IK is vulnerable to exploitation. This poses concerns about the “openness” of scientific research and preservation of IK studied by outside researchers (etic perspective).