Becoming a Xhosa traditional healer: The calling, illness, conflict and belonging.
Xhosa
faith healing
mental health
thwasa
traditional healers
Journal
The South African journal of psychiatry : SAJP : the journal of the Society of Psychiatrists of South Africa
ISSN: 1608-9685
Titre abrégé: S Afr J Psychiatr
Pays: South Africa
ID NLM: 100958626
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
2021
2021
Historique:
received:
25
02
2020
accepted:
16
11
2020
entrez:
7
4
2021
pubmed:
8
4
2021
medline:
8
4
2021
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Traditional healers (THs) are an important part of the healthcare system in sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding their training, experiences of becoming healers and their perceived roles in society is critical. This study aimed to explore the experience of becoming a TH, including accepting the calling, and sheds light on how the experience is conceptualised within the cultural and communitarian context of THs. This study was conducted amongst Xhosa THs in the Western Cape, South Africa. In-depth phenomenological interviews ( The experience of becoming a TH can be summarised in the context of three units of significance: (1) the gift of healing as an illness; (2) the experience of conflict (including with their families, the church and self-conflict); and (3) the experience of belonging. Familial conflict, specifically, was fuelled by the financial burden of becoming a TH and a lack of understanding of the process. To develop a workable model of collaboration in the future, it is crucial that mental healthcare providers develop a better understanding of the experiences of THs in becoming care providers. The findings highlight an appreciation of the challenging process of becoming a TH. Finally, further research and culturally appropriate psychoeducation can provide trainee THs and their family members with the skills and knowledge to support each other through a difficult process.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Traditional healers (THs) are an important part of the healthcare system in sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding their training, experiences of becoming healers and their perceived roles in society is critical.
AIM
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to explore the experience of becoming a TH, including accepting the calling, and sheds light on how the experience is conceptualised within the cultural and communitarian context of THs.
SETTING
METHODS
This study was conducted amongst Xhosa THs in the Western Cape, South Africa.
METHODS
METHODS
In-depth phenomenological interviews (
RESULTS
RESULTS
The experience of becoming a TH can be summarised in the context of three units of significance: (1) the gift of healing as an illness; (2) the experience of conflict (including with their families, the church and self-conflict); and (3) the experience of belonging. Familial conflict, specifically, was fuelled by the financial burden of becoming a TH and a lack of understanding of the process.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
To develop a workable model of collaboration in the future, it is crucial that mental healthcare providers develop a better understanding of the experiences of THs in becoming care providers. The findings highlight an appreciation of the challenging process of becoming a TH. Finally, further research and culturally appropriate psychoeducation can provide trainee THs and their family members with the skills and knowledge to support each other through a difficult process.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33824752
doi: 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v27i0.1528
pii: SAJPsy-27-1528
pmc: PMC8007998
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
1528Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
All authors declare that they have no conflict of interests relevant to this study.
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