Conceptualizations of ancestral calling: Symptoms of mental illness from the traditional healers’ viewpoint in villages around Tzaneen Municipality of Mopani District

Abstract

Cultural beliefs about ancestral spirits and ancestral calling are widespread in Southern Africa. When an individual particularly Black/African has an ancestral calling they may sometimes present with symptoms similar to those of mental illness or disorder as outlined in the DSM (Statistical Diagnostic Manual). The discourse being that the perceived ‘sick person’ may need to go through the process of ukuthwasa (initiation) and become a traditional healer. Therefore, the study sought to explore the conceptualizations of ancestral calling: Presentation of mental illness from the traditional healers’ viewpoint. The research was conducted at villages around Tzaneen Municipality of Mopani District Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study had adopted a qualitative research approach. Because the study has focused on people’s knowledge and experiences, a qualitative approach has afforded the researcher to obtain in-depth information. An exploratory design was employed for the researcher to gain more insight and understanding into the phenomenon that was being researched. To select traditional healers, the study employed a qualitative research approach and used exploratory and phenomenological research designs. The participants of the study were sampled using purposive and convenience sampling. The African Perspective Theory served as the theoretical framework for this research. The population from which the sample was drawn for this study was all the traditional healers who went through the process of ukuthwasa, residing and currently practicing in the villages under Tzaneen Municipality of Mopani District in Limpopo province, South Africa A sample of twenty participants was considered as a target population. However, the researcher discontinued interviews with 15 participants due to data saturation. Semi-structured interviews were used for data collecting using an interview guide as an instrument, and data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Ethical principles such as informed consent and confidentiality and the code of ethics to protect the rights of the participants were applied throughout the study. The findings of the study revealed that there are certain symptoms of mental illness that are present and regarded as a sign that an individual has an ancestral calling. According to the research findings these symptoms may be healed or treated only when the individual accepts the call at the beginning of the training process for one to become a traditional healer, this process is called Ukutwasa. This research will provide additional information in aspects of African Psychology for the trained mental health practitioner in the assessment and treatment of mental health care users who holds significant African traditional and cultural beliefs.