Indigenous healing practices in Limpopo Province of South Africa: A qualitative study

Sodi, Tholene; Mudhovozi, Pilot; Mashamba, Tshilidzi; Radzilani-Makatu, Makondelele; Takalani, James F.; Mabunda, Jabulani

doi:10.1080/14635240.2011.10708216

Cited by 34 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Conversely, in the literature, THPs roles are treated as mutually exclusive, they include: herbalists ( izinyanga or amaxhwele ), diviners ( izangoma , umthandazi or amagqirha ), traditional surgeons ( iingcibi ) who mainly do circumcisions, and traditional birth attendants ( ababelethisi or abazalisi ) [16, 41, 42]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of traditional health practitioners in Rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: generic or mode specific?

Zuma

Wight

Rochat

et al. 2016

BMC Complement Altern Med

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BackgroundTraditional health practitioners (THPs) play a vital role in the health care of the majority of the South African population and elsewhere on the African continent. However, many studies have challenged the role of THPs in health care. Concerns raised in the literature include the rationale, safety and effectiveness of traditional health practices and methods, as well as what informs them. This paper explores the processes followed in becoming a traditional healer and how these processes are related to THP roles.MethodsA qualitative research design was adopted, using four repeat group discussions with nine THPs, as part of a larger qualitative study conducted within the HIV Treatment as Prevention trial in rural South Africa. THPs were sampled through the local THP association and snowballing techniques. Data collection approaches included photo-voice and community walks. The role identity theory and content analysis were used to explore the data following transcription and translation.ResultsIn the context of rural Northern KwaZulu-Natal, three types of THPs were identified: 1) Isangoma (diviner); 2) Inyanga (one who focuses on traditional medical remedies) and 3) Umthandazi (faith healer). Findings revealed that THPs are called by ancestors to become healers and/or go through an intensive process of learning about traditional medicines including plant, animal or mineral substances to provide health care. Some THPs identified themselves primarily as one type of healer, while most occupied multiple healing categories, that is, they practiced across different healing types. Our study also demonstrates that THPs fulfil roles that are not specific to the type of healer they are, these include services that go beyond the uses of herbs for physical illnesses or divination.ConclusionsTHPs serve roles which include, but are not limited to, being custodians of traditional African religion and customs, educators about culture, counsellors, mediators and spiritual protectors. THPs’ mode specific roles are influenced by the processes by which they become healers. However, whichever type of healer they identified as, most THPs used similar, generic methods and practices to focus on the physical, spiritual, cultural, psychological, emotional and social elements of illness.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of traditional health practitioners in Rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: generic or mode specific?

Zuma

Wight

Rochat

et al. 2016

BMC Complement Altern Med

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“…The importation of Western concepts of disease and the self has resulted in some of these traditional, more collectivist healing methods being lost (Tlou, 2013). Further, the concept of spiritual illnesses and the efficacy of traditional treatments in South Africa continue to be debated (Sodi & Bojuwoye, 2011; Sodi et al, 2011). Nonetheless, developing a non-Western, formulation of the symptoms of ukuthwasa may be critical in effectively addressing the symptoms (Laher, 2014).…”

Section: Conceptions Of Health In Indigenous South Africansmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ukuthwasa is a South African term for the calling to become a sangoma, a type of indigenous Zulu healer. The experience of ukuthwasa is characterized by physical and psychological symptoms, ranging from pain to hallucinations (Laher, 2014; Niehaus et al, 2004), which tend to resolve when the individual apprentices to become a sangoma (Laher, 2014; Sodi et al, 2011). Western practitioners typically diagnose a thwasa, an individual experiencing ukuthwasa, with brief psychotic disorder or depression, but allopathic medicine has not been successful at treating the symptoms (Booi, 2004; Laher, 2014; Sodi & Bujowoye, 2011).…”

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confidence: 99%

A South African Experience: Cultural Determinants of Ukuthwasa

Bakow

Low

2018

Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology

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The current study investigated ukuthwasa, a South African culture-specific syndrome associated with the calling to become a sangoma, a type of traditional healer. Ukuthwasa has previously been compared to Western mental health constructs, such as depression and schizophrenia due to its accompanying debilitating symptoms. The current study sought to better understand the calling to become a sangoma and define the phenomenology of ukuthwasa. Unstructured interviews were conducted with participants comprised of izangoma (plural of sangoma) who had experienced ukuthwasa and key informants indigenous to South Africa living in and around the Durban metropolitan area (N = 11). The qualitative data were analyzed using grounded theory, which allowed for the categorization of data into themes for further analysis. The results of the study showed that while there were similarities between ukuthwasa and Western constructs of mental health, the course and effectiveness of management differed greatly, suggesting the need to incorporate cultural factors into management decision-making.

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“…South African TM to improve physical health are mainly plant-based, but use of minerals and animal parts has been documented (Xaba, 1998; Sodi et al, 2011). Colloquially called ‘muthi’ in isiZulu , TM is most commonly sold at informal street markets or indoor shops (also called muthi chemists).…”

Section: Traditional Health Practitioners and Medicine In South Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…TM is often discussed in the context of chemists, but TM may be prescribed by THPs after consultation or self-administrated after self-diagnosis. The four most common types of THPs are: (1) spiritual diviners ( isangomas ) who communicate with ancestors; (2) herbalists ( inyangas or traditional doctors ) with expert knowledge on traditional herbal remedies; (3) faith healers ( umthandazi ) who use mostly holy water and prayer (Kale, 1995); and (4) traditional birth attendants (Sodi et el., 2011). Viewed by many as trustworthy and effective, THPs are consulted for many primary healthcare needs and also provide spiritual guidance to patients.…”

Section: Traditional Health Practitioners and Medicine In South Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

‘These people who dig roots in the forests cannot treat HIV’: Women and men in Durban, South Africa, reflect on traditional medicine and antiretroviral drugs

Weintraub

Mantell

Holt

et al. 2017

Global Public Health

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Relatively few empirical investigations of the intersection of HIV biomedical and traditional medicine have been undertaken. As part of preliminary work for a longitudinal study investigating health-seeking behaviours among newly diagnosed individuals living with HIV, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 24 urban South Africans presenting for HIV testing or newly enrolled in HIV care; here we explored participants' views on African traditional medicine (TM) and biomedical HIV treatment. Notions of acceptance/non-acceptance were more nuanced than dichotomous, with participants expressing views ranging from favourable to reproachful, often referring to stories they had heard from others rather than drawing from personal experience. Respect for antiretrovirals and biomedicine was evident, but indigenous beliefs, particularly about the role of ancestors in healing, were common. Many endorsed the use of herbal remedies, which often were not considered TM. Given people's diverse health-seeking practices, biomedical providers need to recognise the cultural importance of traditional health practices and routinely initiate respectful discussion of TM use with patients.

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Indigenous healing practices in Limpopo Province of South Africa: A qualitative study

Cited by 34 publications

References 15 publications

The role of traditional health practitioners in Rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: generic or mode specific?

The role of traditional health practitioners in Rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: generic or mode specific?

A South African Experience: Cultural Determinants of Ukuthwasa

‘These people who dig roots in the forests cannot treat HIV’: Women and men in Durban, South Africa, reflect on traditional medicine and antiretroviral drugs

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