Between traditions: architecture as a mediator between medicinal differences
Date
2016
Authors
Aftab, Brira Sultan
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Abstract
Indigenous medicine has existed in society for
centuries. It is one of the few age old practices
that has remained an innate part of our sociocultural
environment. African indigenous healing is
an important component of African culture and is
significant in ensuring both well-being and health
of the people. The World Health Organization statistics
shows that at least 70% -80% of the population
have used indigenous medicine in South
Africa. Indigenous medicine often carries stigmas
and negative perceptions. Countless misconceptions
and misunderstandings are experienced by
indigenous medicine and indigenous medicinal
practitioners that have contributed to their isolation.
The intention of this thesis is to explore the coexistence
of different medical and health systems
through a place of dialogue and education. The
study focuses on creating an interface between
conventional and local indigenous health systems.
Through spaces of collaboration, well-being
and knowledge, a connection can be established
between the two systems which could essentially
promote an interaction and understanding. Through
an exploration of the primary theme of “the self
and the other” and a secondary theme of holistic
well-being.
An intricate theoretical framework can be established
within the thesis that contributes to both the
design development and practicality of the proposal.
By further studying literature that pertains to
the themes and by interviewing people within both
fields will allow for the profound understanding of
both forms of medicine. The role of architecture
as a social instigator for the de-stigmatization of
indigenous medicine and holistic well-being will
also be explored, with reference to perception as
an awareness tool.
The architectural response to the thesis is a collaborative
facility at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital
that will look at cooperation, education and
research with indigenous practitioners, doctors and
the public. The will create an opportunity to link
the two medicinal systems together and encourage
interaction and understanding between the
two. It will further place importance on indigenous
systems and knowledge that could potentially be
used to treat patients universally. Indigenous medicine
practitioners will also be housed within the
facility to offer an alternative to the conventional
system. Thus ideally creating a place where there
is dialogue, transformation and appreciation for
indigenous knowledge systems.
Description
Thesis (M.Arch. (Professional))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, 2016.
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Citation
Aftab, Brira (2016) Between traditions: architecture as a mediator between medicinal differences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, < http://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/handle/10539/22039>