Framing wellbeing through spirituality, space, history, and context: Lessons from an indigenous African community

Ohajunwa, Chioma; Mji, Gubela; Chimbala-Kalenga, Rosemary

doi:10.1016/j.wss.2021.100042

Cited by 4 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Spirituality is referred to in the Bomvana Indigenous language as umoya. Umoya is a lived spirituality, involving the spoken and unspoken, experiential and observed, implicit and explicit understandings and behaviours that guide one through life (Ohajunwa, 2019). The understanding of spirituality is anchored across three equally crucial and relevant aspects of beingness, which are humans living and non-living, nature, and the divine.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Bomvana cosmos inform their understanding of the world around them. To amaBomvane, the spiritual control the physical (Ohajunwa, 2019). This understanding of spirituality as a grounding philosophy informs the basis of all Bomvana engagements with themselves and the outside world, including their healthcare system.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ubuntu as depicted above is presented as a collective spiritual philosophical platform and undergirding factor of AITS. The concept of ubuntu acknowledges and foregrounds the shared humanity between Western and Indigenous healthcare practitioners while recognising the different healthcare narratives and worldviews that both practitioners carry that influence their practices (Ohajunwa, 2019). The transcendence within ubuntu integrates specific aspects of the two knowledge systems while leaving their core belief systems untouched (Jansen, 1973).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although within healthcare the normative transcultural discourse is geared towards enhancing culturally congruent care, it has not adequately considered the unique historical positioning and contextual experiences of the Indigenous African community. This positioning is facilitated by the problematic way a perceived sense of superiority and systemic privilege is ascribed to Western knowledge as alluded to by the Bomvana (Ohajunwa, 2019). Neither has the transcultural discourse sufficiently addressed the implications inherent in the positioning of African Indigenous knowledge as inferior.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Another challenge is that within the African Indigenous cosmos, the explanatory model of illness involves spirituality (Campbell-Hall et al, 2010), the patient’s belief system regarding the cause of illness impact on their experience of healthcare treatment. While the biomedical approach leans more towards physiological and psychological causes of illness (Campbell-Hall et al, 2010), wellbeing within the African Indigenous cosmos is about connection and balanced relationships between people, nature, and the divine (Ohajunwa, 2019). The big question is how can these two lenses coexist without one marginalising the other?…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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This article is informed by an outcome from a doctoral study that explored spirituality and collective wellbeing within Indigenous and Western healthcare practices in an Indigenous South African community. The study context consists of four communities in rural Bomvanaland, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The study is qualitative, utilising an ethnographic case study approach, with n = 52 participants. A two-level thematic, analytical strategy of theoretical propositions and connecting strategy was used to analyse the data. Results reveal current tensions within the community due to the conflicted understandings and approaches to healthcare and wellbeing practices between traditional practitioners and Western healthcare professionals that exist in their context. Participant narratives indicate the need for a contextual, holistic, collaborative process to inform healthcare practices within their community.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Climate anxiety as posthuman knowledge

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Key considerations for an inclusive framework for youth with disabilities in post-apartheid South Africa

Roux

2022

African Journal of Disability

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he loss or elimination of opportunities to take part in the life of the community, equitably with others, which is encountered by persons having physical, sensory, psychological, developmental, learning, neurological or other impairments, which may be permanent, temporary or episodic in nature, thereby causing activity limitations and participation restrictions within the mainstream society. (Stats SA 2011:13) The given definition clearly heralds the need to address this loss of opportunities for people with disabilities (PWDs). Background:The South African Constitution asserts that persons with disabilities must have equal access to opportunities in society; however, the realisation of this mandate has remained a challenge. There is a need to create contextually relevant, inclusive structures that support equal access to opportunities for persons with disabilities in society.Objectives: This article reflects on and highlights key considerations for an inclusive framework that facilitates access to opportunities for youth with disabilities in South Africa, which emanated from a study that explored how ongoing interaction with the performing arts can facilitate social and economic inclusion of youths with disabilities. Method:The study adopted a qualitative research approach, using critical ethnography. Primary data were obtained from three focus groups with a total of 20 youth with disabilities who have attended performance events, as well as an in-depth interview with a disabled performer. Results:The facilitation of access to equal opportunities for youth with disabilities must occur at a multidimensional level, involving both personal and systemic changes and levels of support. Complex barriers linked to the apartheid legacy also exist, some of which include access to resources and reduced self-determination, whilst positive factors such as internal resilience and skills development function as promising predictors of inclusion. Conclusion:Contextually relevant, disability-inclusive structures in South Africa must confront and address how youths with disabilities are uniquely impacted in present times by South Africa's history. Contribution:The voices of youths with disabilities make a key contribution as their experiences must inform these inclusive structures which have the potential to enhance access to equal opportunities for them at both personal and systemic levels.

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Framing wellbeing through spirituality, space, history, and context: Lessons from an indigenous African community

Cited by 4 publications

References 28 publications

Encouraging reciprocal healthcare practice within a South African Indigenous community

Encouraging reciprocal healthcare practice within a South African Indigenous community

Climate anxiety as posthuman knowledge

Key considerations for an inclusive framework for youth with disabilities in post-apartheid South Africa

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