Technologies to promote the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge holders in digital cultural heritage preservation

Indigenous Knowledge (IK) preservation is at the core of our collaborative efforts with indigenous communities in Namibia. Recognising the local IK holder as a key agent in the process, we co-design technologies that enable IK holders in the rural communities to collect their own IK. An imperative component in the equation is community engagement, thereby hearing and respecting their voices in the co-design process which ensures technology adaptation. In this paper we present an on-going project of an indigenous technology development with the ovaHimba tribe, who strongly epitomise their cultural norms and values, still living a traditional life style in the rural area with relatively little exposure to technology. In the absence of communities’ expectations of existing human computer interaction standards we attempt to co-develop unique designs reflecting local worldviews. Hence this paper reports on our past efforts compounded of a routine of discussions, co-design session, new communicational tool deployment, technological tools’ evaluation, outcomes and challenges.