The Influence of African Philosophy in Building Knowledge Competence and Understanding Social Matters: A Case Study of Swahili Novels

Abstract

This study examined the contribution of African philosophy in building knowledge competence and understanding social issues, with reference to the Swahili novels Nagona (1990) and Mzingile (1991). A library research method was used to collect primary data through a close reading of the selected novels. Secondary data were gathered from books, theses, journal articles, and other publications to validate and strengthen the primary data. The study was guided by the African Philosophy theory, which emphasizes the importance of African culture, customs, beliefs, and lived experiences in understanding social life. The selected theory was applied in the discussion and critical analysis of the data obtained. The findings show that these novels significantly contribute to building knowledge about the challenges faced by African communities during periods of social, economic, and cultural change. They also highlight the roles of elders, religion, and indigenous knowledge as foundations for building morality, wisdom, and guidance for life in society. Moreover, they underline the importance of rethinking African life by returning to values such as humanity, social cohesion, and communal ethics. The study further demonstrates that African philosophy helps communities understand the importance of identity, respect elders, value customs and traditions, and seek solutions to social challenges using indigenous knowledge. The study recommends that researchers and literary critics continue applying African Philosophy theory to examine other Swahili literary works, so as to advance knowledge geared toward preserving African culture, morals, and the cohesion of African communities in the present era of globalization.