Rethinking Methodologies and the Values of Indigenous Knowledge Systems for Sustainable Development

The study examines the values of indigenous knowledge (IK) systems and explores methodologies for integrating IK within the broader frameworks of knowledge production. It critiques the enduring dominance of Western-centric epistemologies, which marginalizes IK through structural hierarchies and colonial legacies. Focusing on the Ethiopian context, the research illustrates examples of IK’s contributions to various fields, including agriculture, medicine, architecture, and social governance. It proposes a blend of Western and Indigenous paradigms to foster epistemic justice and knowledge democracy. Using systematic literature review, the study identifies themes such as decolonization of methodologies, epistemic justice and community driven research approaches as critical to reclaiming and integrating IK. The findings underscore that decolonizing research methodologies requires not only recognizing IK’s legitimacy but also dismantling systemic inequalities and fostering collaboration between academia and communities. The research advocates for decolonizing methodologies by promoting equitable, participatory, and context-sensitive approaches to knowledge production, enabling Indigenous communities to ecome active collaborators rather than passive subjects.The study further advances the Holistic Approach to Indigenous Knowledge System Theory (HAIKST), which promotes autonomous knowledge systems rooted in lived experience, interconnectedness, and environmental intelligence. Ultimately, this research contributes to ongoing discourses on decolonization by presenting actionable recommendations for academic institutions and policymakers. These include curriculum reforms to incorporate Indigenous epistemologies, fostering respectful ialogue between knowledge systems, and equitable dissemination of research in accessible formats. The study stresses that decolonizing knowledge production is essential for creating diverse, inclusive, and just epistemological landscapes where Indigenous perspectives are authentically valued and integrated.