Africa has a wealth of knowledge that is currently facing extinction unless drastic measures are taken to disseminate it. This study investigates the dissemination of indigenous knowledge by traditional leaders in the Mashonaland East Province in Zimbabwe. A qualitative methodology that used hermeneutic phenomenology and knowledge conversion theory was used to explore the dissemination of indigenous knowledge by traditional leaders in the Mashonaland East Province, in Zimbabwe. Purpose sampling was used to determine the study population. Data collected from interviews with traditional leaders and other members of the community were augmented with reviewed documents from the ministry responsible for the appointment of traditional leaders. Data was analysed thematically according to the study objectives. The findings of this study revealed that traditional leaders are among the custodians of indigenous knowledge who should ensure that indigenous knowledge is preserved for posterity. It was established that the constitution of Zimbabwe empowers traditional leaders to guard jealously the indigenous knowledge of their communities through the development of strategies for spreading the knowledge to future generations. Various indigenous knowledge scholars concurred that the lack of proper dissemination of indigenous knowledge culminates in its extinction. Dissemination strategies that include the use of information communication technologies were proposed. Furthermore, the study recommends that indigenous knowledge should first be captured and documented to enable greater dissemination.

中文翻译：

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津巴布韦东马绍纳兰省土著知识的传播

非洲拥有丰富的知识，但如果不采取严厉措施传播这些知识，这些知识目前正面临灭绝。本研究调查了津巴布韦东马绍纳兰省传统领导人传播本土知识的情况。采用解释学现象学和知识转换理论的定性方法来探索津巴布韦东马绍纳兰省传统领导人对本土知识的传播。使用目的抽样来确定研究人群。通过与传统领导人和社区其他成员的访谈收集的数据，通过负责任命传统领导人的部门审查的文件得到了补充。根据研究目标对数据进行主题分析。这项研究的结果表明，传统领袖是土著知识的守护者，他们应该确保为子孙后代保存土著知识。津巴布韦宪法授权传统领导人通过制定向子孙后代传播知识的战略，谨慎地保护其社区的本土知识。各种土著知识学者一致认为，缺乏适当传播土著知识最终会导致其灭绝。提出了包括使用信息通信技术的传播战略。此外，该研究建议首先应捕获并记录本土知识，以便更好地传播。