Women, knowledge and protection

Abstract

This paper raises issues that affect women writers and suggests what they should strive for in order to be heard. It calls for strong introspection by women writers to reclaim their historical narratives and perspectives as originators and owners of stories. The author argues for recognition of an Afrocentric epistemology in the public discourse, which is currently dominated by white writers of black women\'s stories. Is there a way that the black female writer can represent herself as a writer without labels - without being \'black\', being a woman, being female?
The author deals with the sources of indigenous writing and the significance of spirituality and soulfulness as a connection with ancestry and the environment; the need to indiginize, document indigenous knowledge and assert a responsibility to revive indigenous knowledge for sustainable livelihood and spiritual guidance. A conclusion is drawn as a response to reclaiming the African Renaissance and Africa\'s past through the utilization of indigenous languages and thought patterns and providing a mechanism to protect the invaluable knowledge and skills held by women in developing countries, South Africa in particular.