- Title
- Amagqirha (Xhosa diviners) and the treatment of mental illness: exploring indigenous healing practices and the potential for integrating indigenous knowledge into psychology training
- Creator
- Klaas, Fihliwe
- Subject
- Mental illness -- Treatment
- Subject
- Psychology -- Africa
- Subject
- Healers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Date Issued
- 2024-12
- Date
- 2024-12
- Type
- Master's theses
- Type
- text
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10948/69860
- Identifier
- vital:78042
- Description
- This study focuses on Amagqirha kwa Xhosa (diviners) who are traditional healers within the Xhosa community. Despite their impact and footprint in the communities, there is limited knowledge regarding their role in managing mental health illnesses, particularly the kind of techniques they employ. In light of this, the study is aimed at exploring the types of techniques and interventions utilized by Amagqirha kwa Xhosa in treating psychological problems and assessing how the knowledge can be incorporated into the training of psychologists. The study employed a qualitative approach with semi-structured one-on-one interviews, using purposive and snowballing sampling strategies. Eight traditional healers from the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, Eastern Cape, participated in the study, and thematic data analysis was utilised to analyse the data. Two primary themes were revealed in Amagqirha’s experiences with treating mental illness, and the first set core themes are 1. Ukuxilonga (Diagnosing) and 2. Izinto ngokwa ses’Xhoseni ezenza ingulo ye ngqondo (Xhosa Realities and Causes of Mental Illnesses). The second set of core themes revealed Amagqirha’s treatment methods and interventions, and these are 1.Indlela Zokunyanga Zesintu (Tradition Methods of Healing) and 2.Impawu zoxilongo olunemiphumela zobuGqirha (Treatment efficacy in traditional healing). The findings highlight the importance of recognizing diverse knowledge systems in Mental Health care, emphasizing the need for culturally sensitive approaches that respect and take into account cultural context and spirituality of the community/patients. Additionally, the study provides guidelines for mental health practitioners when dealing with clients who align with paradigms other than the Western biomedical paradigm or worldview, highlighting the importance of integrating varying paradigms in approaching mental health practice.
- Description
- Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Behavioural & Lifestyle Sciences, 2024
- Format
- computer
- Format
- online resource
- Format
- application/pdf
- Format
- 1 online resource (141 pages)
- Format
- Publisher
- Nelson Mandela University
- Publisher
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Language
- English
- Rights
- Nelson Mandela University
- Rights
- All Rights Reserved
- Rights
- Open Access
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- Downloads: 2
Collections
NMU School of Behavioural Sciences
| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | SOURCE1 | Klaas, F December 2024.pdf | 1 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |