AFRICAN RELIGIO-CULTURAL LANDSCAPES AND THE QUESTION OF TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT: REASSESSING INDIGENOUS INNOVATIONS AND THEIR DISJUNCTION WITH MODERN TECHNOLOGICAL TRAJECTORIES

Abstract

The question of underdevelopment of the African continent especially in this age of modern technological advancement has remained an intractable challenge to contemporary scholars. While some are of the view that the continent can only develop if it is allowed to do so within her rich cultural context; others think that the transfer of technology from the West is the only viable alternative to its development. This study takes a mid-way position by critically examining the interconnectedness and disconnectedness of African culture and modern technological advancement. As a philosophical research, the paper adopts the discursive and analytical approach in analyzing extant scholarly views on this subject matter. The entire discussion is pitched against the backdrop of cultural liberalism or cultural revivalism theory. The study argues that while modern technologies are undoubtedly useful tools for development of the African continent, some technologies have the potentials to negatively impact on African culture / values. The paper also unraveled some issues that serve as major impediments to technological development in Africa. The paper concludes that the call for development of Africa outside of its cultural context is not only counterproductive but destructive and therefore recommends the development of Africa within its cultural milieu as the most viable alternative. It also calls on policy makers in Africa to have a retrospect of the lost traditional African technologies and formulate policies that could promote rather than undermine them.