Pluralistic Tendencies in Healing Abantu Illness in the Contemporary South Africa

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Author(s): Kholekile Hazel Ngqila (Walter Sisulu University, South Africa)
Copyright: 2017
Pages: 20
Source title: Handbook of Research on Theoretical Perspectives on Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Developing Countries
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Patrick Ngulube (University of South Africa, South Africa)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-0833-5.ch017

Keywords: Digital Divide & Developing Countries / Government & Law / Information Science Reference / Knowledge Management

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Abstract

Ukuhanjwa illness was used as an example to understanding abantu illnesses. With attributional theory ukuhanjwa illness is attributed to spiritual and social causes rather than biomedical causes, whereby causal link is socially constructed between ukuhanjwa illness and entry into the body by familiars. Issues explored included conceptualisation of ukuhanjwa illness. The focus of the chapter is on the reasons for continued pluralistic tendencies in healing regardless of the expectation by the West that people should be focusing on the use of the fast evolving biomedical healing methods. The ethnographic study took place among the Southern Nguni people of OR Tambo District Municipality (ORTDM) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Data was collected using qualitative and ethnographic research methods amongst a sample group of 50 participants. The sample was composed of traditional healers, mothers of children who have experienced ukuhanjwa illness, elderly people (male and female), biomedical practitioners and nurses.

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Pluralistic Tendencies in Healing Abantu Illness in the Contemporary South Africa

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