Experiences of female traditional healers on their practice at Makhado Municipality of the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province

Abstract

Traditional healers provide important service to the rural people of Africa. African wamen, particularly cider ones in rural communities, utilize the traditional healer's timeless and ancient caregiving when faced with symptoms of mental and physical illness. The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of female traditional healers in Makhado Municipality, Vhembe District. The objectives of the study were: to explore the experiences of female traditional healers at Makhado Municipality, to explore their personal circumstances of female traditional healers; to identify traditional healers' area of specialization and to establish the strategies used by to cope. The study employed a qualitative approach wherein the participants were drawn trom Makhado municipality using purposive sampling. The sample comprised of five female traditional healers and a phenomenological research design was used. The research population were Tshivenda speaking female traditional healers residing in Makhado municipality, Vhembe district. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data which were analysed using contextual phenomenological explication analysis method. The following ethics was taken into consideration when conducting the study: the researcher ensured informed consent trom participants, by telling them of the procedures; the researcher did not violate their confidentiality/ anonymity, right of privacy, protection trom harm whether physical, mental or emotional. In any way to ensure trustworthiness the researcher applied the following: credibility, transferability, confirmability and dependability.