WOMEN’S KNOWLEDGE PRESERVATION: EMPOWERING TRADITION AND LEGACY IN NIGERIA

The role of women in Knowledge preservation in West Africa, cannot be overstressed. Despite the patriarchal nature of the West African society, women are without doubt, pronounced the first teachers, keepers of oral history, caregivers, and their tripartite nature role, have contributed significantly to the transmission of cultural values and wisdom, across generation. In view of the above, this work aimed to explore the vital contribution of women in preserving traditional knowledge and cultural heritages of the West African people. It focused on the rich and diverse experiences within Nigeria. Generally, women have been proven as the guardian of cultural practices, oral traditions and indigenous wisdom, contributing significantly to the preservation of their communities’ heritage. Their contributions, however, have frequently been neglected or undervalued, which is the premise of this article. Nonetheless, considering the explanatory nature of this study, qualitative research method, was employed to gather rich context-specific data. The study adopted the Feminist theory idea, to drive home points. The article recommends that women should be equipped through education and other activities that would make them function effectively in the society, to grow into the companions of men, instead of encumbering the progress of West African society by denying women the prerequisite opportunity to explore. In conclusion, the research emphasized the relevance of traditional legacy in West Africa, and issues a call to action for supporting and empowering women in their vivacious character as custodians of cultural knowledge.

Open Full Text (PDF)