Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology
Intergenerational transmission of feminist indigenous knowledge in Nigeria: A study of cultural continuity and change
Titilope Rachael Opesemowo 1 *
More Detail
1 Centre for Education Rights and Transformation, Faculty of Education, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
* Corresponding Author
Open Access Full Text (PDF)
ARTICLE INFO

Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology, Online First, pp. 1-15
https://doi.org/10.33902/jpsp.202531319

Article Type: Research Article

Published Online: 16 May 2025

Views: 26 | Downloads: 21

ABSTRACT
The intergenerational transmission of Feminist Indigenous Knowledge (FIK) in Nigeria represents a critical area of study that explores the mechanisms through which traditional feminist values, practices, and wisdom are passed down through generations, ensuring continuity while adapting to societal changes. The study provides insight into FIK, then explores its historical continuity of FIK, the role of women as custodians and transmitters of feminist indigenous knowledge in Nigeria, and critical historical events among feminists in Nigeria that have influenced cultural change and continuity and the contemporary continuity and change. The study adopted a qualitative approach. Five Nigerian Indigenous women from Osun State purposively participated in this study. Osun State is rich in Yoruba cultural traditions, especially about feminist indigenous knowledge. The semi-structured interview guide was used to generate the data, which was analyzed thematically. The study concluded that feminist indigenous knowledge remains vital in Nigeria's cultural and social fabric. Still, its future transmission faces significant challenges, requiring deliberate efforts to sustain its relevance.
KEYWORDS
In-text citation: (Opesemowo, 2025)
Reference: Opesemowo, T. R. (2025). Intergenerational transmission of feminist indigenous knowledge in Nigeria: A study of cultural continuity and change. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology. https://doi.org/10.33902/jpsp.202531319
In-text citation: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Reference: Opesemowo TR. Intergenerational transmission of feminist indigenous knowledge in Nigeria: A study of cultural continuity and change. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology. 2025. https://doi.org/10.33902/jpsp.202531319
In-text citation: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Reference: Opesemowo TR. Intergenerational transmission of feminist indigenous knowledge in Nigeria: A study of cultural continuity and change. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology. 2025. https://doi.org/10.33902/jpsp.202531319
In-text citation: (Opesemowo, 2025)
Reference: Opesemowo, Titilope Rachael. "Intergenerational transmission of feminist indigenous knowledge in Nigeria: A study of cultural continuity and change". Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology (2025). https://doi.org/10.33902/jpsp.202531319
In-text citation: (Opesemowo, 2025)
Reference: Opesemowo, T. R. (2025). Intergenerational transmission of feminist indigenous knowledge in Nigeria: A study of cultural continuity and change. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology. https://doi.org/10.33902/jpsp.202531319
In-text citation: (Opesemowo, 2025)
Reference: Opesemowo, Titilope Rachael "Intergenerational transmission of feminist indigenous knowledge in Nigeria: A study of cultural continuity and change". Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology, 2025. https://doi.org/10.33902/jpsp.202531319
REFERENCES
  • Abimbola, F. O., Ehiane, S. O., & Tandlich, R. (2023). Women’s rights in nigeria’s indigenous systems: an analysis of non-discrimination and equality under international human rights law. Social Sciences, 12(7), 405. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12070405
  • Achebe, N. (2021). Female monarchs and merchant queens in Africa. African Studies Review, 64(2), E1-E3. https://doi.org/10.1017/asr.2021.31
  • Aderinoye-Abdulwahab, S., Ganiyu, A. R., & Egbewole, H. (2024). Changing paradigms in addressing climate shocks among pastoralists and women farmers in northern Nigeria. In M. Mokhtari & M. Lazzari (Eds.), Exploring the unseen hazards of our world (pp. 19-35). IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1006532
  • Afolabi, A., & Akeem, O. A. (2022). Change and resistance: a reflection on the aba Women Uprising in Colonial Nigeria. Studies on Cultures and Societies, 37, 41-61. https://doi.org/10.60018/Hemi.TJSM1586
  • Akpa-Inyang, F., & Chima, S. C. (2023). Traditional health care practitioners' perspectives on applying informed consent during african traditional medical practice in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria: a cross-sectional qualitative study. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 29(6-7), 361-371. https://doi.org/10.1089/jicm.2022.0687
  • Aluede, C. O., & Okakah, F. I. (2022). Some Esan-Nigeria indigenous knowledge models in the service of social medicine. Revista de Estudios Africanos, 3, 153-168. https://doi.org/10.15366/reauam2022.3.007
  • Aluko, O. I. (2020). Social protests and government responsiveness in Nigeria: a study on Bring Back Our Girls Movement. Perspectivas, 23, 50-61. https://doi.org/10.21814/perspectivas.2954
  • Anderson, K. (2020). Multi-generational Indigenous feminisms: From F word to what IFs 1. In B. Hokowhitu, A. Moreton-Robinson, L. Tuhiwai-Smith, C. Andersen, & S. Larkin (Eds.), Routledge handbook of critical indigenous studies (pp. 37-51). Routledge.
  • Arukwe, N. O., Chime, C. S., & Okwara, F. O. (2024). A postcolonial feminist perspective on traditional birth attendants and management of pregnancy complications among indigenous women in Rural Nigeria. Affilia, 40(1), 46-64. https://doi.org/10.1177/08861099241256918
  • Asogwa, I. S., Omah, E. C., & Asogwa, M. (2020). Empowering women through agribusiness: a key to reducing poverty and food insecurity in Nigeria. Sapientia Foundation Journal of Education, Sciences and Gender Studies, 2(3), 55-67.
  • Aworinde, D., Erinoso, S., Ibukunoluwa, M., & Teniola, S. (2020). Herbal concoctions used in the management of some women-related health disorders in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria. Journal of Applied Biosciences, 147(1), 15091-15099. https://doi.org/10.35759/JABs.147.2
  • Bakare-Yusuf, B. (2003). Yorubas Don’t Do Gender”: A critical review of Oyeronke Oyewumi’s The Invention of Women: Making an African sense of western gender discourses. In S. Arnfred (Ed.), African gender scholarship: concepts, methodologies, and paradigms (pp. 61-81). African Books Collective.
  • Benjamin, J. (2024). Textiles in West Africa up to the 20th century. Oxford University Press.
  • Caballero-Roque, A., Silva-Rivera, E., Gómez-Tolosa, M., Pérez-Farrera, M. A., Tejeda-Cruz, C., & López, S. (2024). Traditional knowledge surviving the new millennium: women's use of wild edible plant species in a Protected Natural Area (rs-4565461). Research Square. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4565461/v1
  • Chijindu, P. C. I., Okpoma, M. O., & Atubi, O. (2020). Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used in erhuwaren community in Ughelli south local government area of Delta State. UNILAG Journal of Medicine, Science and Technology, 8(1), 176-206.
  • Chiluwa, I. (2024). Discourse, digitisation and women’s rights groups in Nigeria and Ghana: Online campaigns for political inclusion and against violence on women and girls. New Media & Society. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448231220919
  • Chingiz, A. G. (2024). The image of a woman in folklore as a fork tradition. International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Social Science, 2(42), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.31435/rsglobal_ijitss/30062024/8170
  • Clark, G. (2018). African market women, market queens, and merchant queens. Oxford University Press.
  • Defriend, C., & Cook, C. M. (2023). Reawakening of Indigenous matriarchal systems: A feminist approach to organizational leadership. Healthcare Management Forum, 37(3), 160-163. https://doi.org/10.1177/08404704231210255
  • Edmonds, F., Chenhall, R., Munro-Harrison, E., & Liamputtong, P. (2022). Intercultural research: Aboriginal young people and the digital storytelling process as knowledge exchange. In P. Liamputtong (Ed.), Handbook of qualitative cross-cultural research methods: a social science perspective (pp. 233-255). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781800376625.00023
  • Gareau, P. L. (2023). Making kin: Indigenous relationality in promoting public and political knowledge about religion. Studies in Religion/Sciences Religieuses. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/00084298231212209
  • Grossman, S. (2020). The politics of order in informal markets: Evidence from Lagos. World Politics, 72(1), 47-79. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0043887119000121
  • Hangshing, J. (2019). Towards indigenous librarianship: Indian perspective. Library Philosophy and Practice, 2868, 1-16.
  • Hausknecht, S., Freeman, S., Martin, J., Nash, C., & Skinner, K. (2021). Sharing Indigenous Knowledge through intergenerational digital storytelling: Design of a workshop engaging Elders and youth. Educational Gerontology, 47(7), 285-296. https://doi.org/10.1080/03601277.2021.1927484
  • Huuki, T., & Pacini-Ketchabaw, V. (2023). Indigenous cosmologies and black onto-epistemologies in gender and education. Gender and Education, 35(2), 119-128. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540253.2023.2170334
  • Igbekele, J., & Aihie, J. (2023). Nigeria-China trade relations, its impact on small-scale businesses: The tie-dye textile industry paradigm. Multidisciplinary Journal of Current Research, 1(11), 1-15.
  • Jike, V. (2010). Environmental degradation and the resurgence of non-violent protest by women in the Warri Metropolis of Southern Nigeria. Journal of Social Sciences, 23(3), 207-212. https://doi.org/10.1080/09718923.2010.11892830
  • Kabir, A., & Adebola, S. (2024). Profitability of shea butter processing business for rural women in Borgu LGA, Niger State, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Environment, 20(1), 53-63. https://doi.org/10.4314/jagrenv.v20i1.6
  • Kola, E. (2022). Will the role of Indigenous Knowledge Systems help in sustaining utilization and conservation of indigenous medicinal plants? Planta Medica, 88(15), 14-37. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1759002
  • Mbelebele, Z., Mdoda, L., Ntlanga, S. S., Nontu, Y., & Gidi, L. S. (2024). Harmonizing traditional knowledge with environmental preservation: sustainable strategies for the conservation of indigenous medicinal plants (IMPs) and Their implications for economic well-Being. Sustainability, 16(14), 5841. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16145841
  • Moore, E. (2023). Native knowledge: Indigenous nursing programs are making room for new perspectives. American Nurse Journal, 18(11), 32-41.
  • Nijar, G. S. (2013). Traditional knowledge systems, international law and national challenges: marginalization or emancipation? European Journal of International Law, 24(4), 1205-1221. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejil/cht077
  • Olumba, C. C., & Olumba, C. N. Gendered livelihoods and the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices in Nigeria. Gender, Place & Culture, 32(1), 54-72. https://doi.org/10.1080/0966369X.2024.2338394
  • Olu-Owolabi, F., Oladoyin, A., Odukoya, O., & Osimen, G. (2024). Harnessing traditional institutions for sustainable leadership and good governance in Nigeria. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 8(11), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i11.6951
  • Onabanjo, O. D. (2011). The centrality of women in moral teachings in Yoruba family system. Gender and Behaviour, 9(1), 3642-3655. https://doi.org/doi:10.10520/EJC34669
  • Onoh, U. C., Erezi, E., & Clement, B. (2023). Analyzing the role of women in climate resilience building and sustainable farming practices in Nigeria. International Journal of Geography and Environmental Management, 9(4), 65-87. https://doi.org/10.56201/ijgem.v9.no4.2023.pg65.87
  • Onwuakpa, S., & Ononeme, E. (2016). Ethnic traditions, contemporary nigerian art and group identity. International Institute for Science, Technology and Education E-Journal, 47, 1-10.
  • Opesemowo, O. A. G., & Adekomaya, V. (2024). Harnessing artificial intelligence for advancing sustainable development goals in South Africa's higher education system: A qualitative study. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 23(3), 67-86. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.23.3.4
  • Opesemowo, O. A. G., & Odumosu, E. T. (2023). The sway of early marriage on the girl child education among some ethnic groups in Lagos State, Nigeria. Journal of Culture and Values in Education, 6(3), 26-41. https://doi.org/10.46303/jcve.2023.18
  • Osunyikanmi, A. F. (2017). Beyond commerce: women and power in traditional Nigerian market. World, 4(2), 175-191. https://doi.org/10.22158/wjssr.v4n2p175
  • Park, B. M. (2022). Unification educators and the enactment of educational policy for north korean refugee students in South Korea [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of Toronto, Canada.
  • Scherrer, M. M., Zerbe, S., Petelka, J., & Säumel, I. (2023). Understanding old herbal secrets: The renaissance of traditional medicinal plants beyond the twenty classic species?. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 14, 1141044. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1141044
  • Schroeder, E., Tallarico, R., & Bakaroudis, M. (2022). The impact of adolescent initiation rites in East and Southern Africa: Implications for policies and practices. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 27(1), 181-192. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2022.2052123
  • Solomon, A. O. (2023). Socio-religious and cultural discourse on gender discrimination against women in rural areas in Nigeria. In E. D. Essien (Ed.), Handbook of Research on Diversity and Gender Differences in Spiritual Experiences (pp. 95-105). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-6684-6826-5.ch006
  • Sultan, M. (2023). Preventing and protesting workplace sexual harassment: Women agro-processing workers in Bangladesh. Development Policy Review, 41(4), e12694. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/dpr.12694
  • Sumankuuro, J., Baatiema, L., Crockett, J., & Young, J. (2022). Women’s use of non-conventional herbal uterotonic in pregnancy and labour: evidence from birth attendants. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 22(1), 600. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-04934-2
  • Suzack, C., Huhndorf, S. M., Perreault, J., & Barman, J. (2011). Indigenous women and feminism: Politics, activism, culture. UBC Press.
  • Swinbank, V. A. (2021). Cultural memory and female intergenerational culinary culture. In V. A. Swinback (Ed.), Women's Food Matters: Stirring the Pot (pp. 85-122). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-70396-7_5
  • Tang, R., & Othman, J. A. B. (2023). Informal learning based on the educational practices of folk musicians. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 12(4), 1096-1107. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARPED/v12-i4/19514
  • Uchendu, E., & Okonkwo, U. (2021). The Aba Women’s War of 1929 in Eastern Nigeria as anti-colonial protest. In J. Hobson (Ed.), The Routledge Companion to Black Women’s Cultural Histories (pp. 245-254). Routledge.
  • Yewande, T., & Olawunmi, A. (2023). Exploring the impact of cultural beliefs and practices on women's education in northern Nigeria. Journal of Education Review Provision, 3(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.55885/jerp.v3i1.191
LICENSE
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.