Entanglements of decolonial critiques: on positionality and epistemology in African studies

In order to explore the connections between the social sciences, imperialism, colonialism, and the urgent need to decolonise academic discourses and practices, this article highlights the often overlooked contributions of African and Black scholars in the development of decolonial critiques. The author addresses two key challenges within decolonial critiques in the field of African studies. First, on positionality, it analyses the implications of the shift from asking ‘who is speaking’ to determining ‘who can legitimately speak.’ Second, it investigates the confusion between epistemological hegemony and the intrinsic value of the hegemonic epistemology. By disentangling these complex issues, the aim is to contribute to the decolonisation of the social sciences and encourage a more inclusive approach to various forms of knowledges. This, without simply deserting academia at a time when many proponents of educational neo-liberalism would be delighted with the outright disappearance of the social sciences.