'Renegotiated identities': stories of women who are initiated traditional healers and work in a hospital environment in a different capacity
Date
2009-07-27T09:44:15Z
Authors
Human, Leoni
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This study aims to explore the experiences of traditional healers who work in a hospital
environment in a different capacity. A secondary aim of this inquiry is to look at how
participants' perceptions of the interface between traditional and modern medicine in a
hospital context influences their practices as both traditional healers and hospital
employees. A snowball sampling strategy was employed and five suitable participants
were identified through referral and post-interview selection. Participants were selected
from a sample of South African-born women who have experienced an ancestral calling
and initiation into African traditional healing, have been initiated as an
Inyanga/iSangoma (diviner), and are presently working in a different vocational capacity
in a hospital environment. All participants work and reside in Gauteng. Data was
collected through two semi-structured interviews per participant. Interviews were based
on an interview guide.
In looking at participants' experience as traditional healers who work in a hospital and
how their perceptions on the interface between traditional and modern medicine
influence their traditional healing practices, four research questions have been identified:
1. How do participants perceive themselves as a traditional healer? 2. How do
participants perceive and experience their work in the hospital? 3. How do participants
perceive the interface between traditional and modern approaches to healing in a
hospital context? 4. How do participants experience the perceptions of others at work? A
qualitative approach was adopted in order to gain an in-depth understanding of
participants' experiences. Data analysis was guided by narrative and thematic
approaches. Thus results are presented in accordance with principles of narrative and
thematic content analysis. Interpretation of data focused on the ways in which these
women relate to their role as traditional healer in a different vocational capacity and how
their perceptions reflect a broader dialogue on the relationship between traditional and
modern healing modalities in a modern health care context. Participants felt empowered
by some colleagues who consulted them on traditional healing skills and applied them to
patients without constraint upon their working duties. All felt they needed their jobs to
support a decent living as full-time work as traditional healers would not provide for all
their needs. Implications for future research and collaboration between western and
traditional healing systems are considered.
Description
Keywords
traditional healers, hospital workers, Gauteng, South Africa