Traditional practices of Nyaluso ya vhana in a Venda Home Setting: An Afrocentric perspective

Abstract

This study explored Nyaluso ya vhana, the traditional child rearing practices in Vhavenḓa families. Child rearing practices are associated with culture, norms and beliefs of a group. However, due to modernisation and globalisation, community and family are concerned that child rearing influences are no longer closely connected to traditional practices, which poses a societal challenge. Furthermore, the positive aspects of traditional child rearing practices were never circulated. As a result, it appears to have no place in the contemporary child rearing practices. The purpose of this study was to explore the traditional child rearing practices in Vhavenḓa families. The intention was to establish if there are areas of traditional practices that were useful, and that should be promoted. A qualitative research design was used. Data collection was through one-on-one interviews with 16 participants. Results show that traditional Vhavenḓa child rearing practices entail the following: i). role modelling good behaviour, ii). Respect as an important ingredient of role modelling, iii). Perseverance as a virtue that was inculcated in children through various ways, iv). Participation in household chores, v). Taking a village to raise a child, vi). Traditional leaders helping the community in fostering culture and traditional child-rearing practices, and vii). Rituals and taboos as backbones in traditional child rearing practices. It was believed that the deliberate guidance and discipline-oriented practices, contributed to the positive child development and healthy citizenship. This study provided insights in the positive aspects of traditional Vhavenḓa child rearing practices.