Ucwaningo olunzulu ngesiko lemvelo lokunakekelwa kokukhulelwa nokubeletha = A critical analysis of indigenous knowledge systems related to pregnancy care (antenatal) and infant delivery
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Date
1999
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Abstract
This research work is an effort to scrutinize the custom of cultural
preparations for pregnancy, following the procedures and African traditions
because culture is the backbone of human life and the most important factor
in human development. In this thesis, explanations are also given for the
infertility of young brides and what is done traditionally to solve such
problems.
Problems of complications during the gestation period which result in
miscarriages are analyzed as well as procedures which must be undertaken
after a miscarriage in order to prevent a recurrence thereof, by following
African methods.
What encouraged the researcher was to bring to the awareness of the Black
Nation the need to look back to their ancestors' customs which they lived
before the advent of hospitals and clinics. It has to dawn their minds that the
numerous health problems which they encounter these days and which white
doctors fail to cure, can be controlled if they stick to their customs. Some of
these problems is failure of women to conceive when they are already
married as well as miscarriages. Most of these problems emanate from the
fact that the majority have lost their traditional practices and have stuck to
those of nations belonging to the Western culture. Therefore, the knowledge
which is gathered in this research emphasizes the gist of the research which
says: "The science of the Blacks, of using traditional herbs and of
communicating with their ancestors in order to get help, worked for the great
grandparents, is stiff working nowadays, and it will continue to work effectively
for the next generations as long as they practice it.
The first chapter indicates the objectives and the incentives which inspired the
researcher to research this topic, following the processes of the African
culture after experiencing the pain suffered by African women who lose their
marriages because of not bearing children, as well as suffering miscarriages
which is caused by neglecting or looking down upon their customs, or
because of not believing in them or ignorance about them. The predecessors
who have researched and written something on this topic are also highlighted
in this chapter.
The second chapter focuses on the research which has been done on African
rituals which should be done for men and women when they reach puberty
which have an impact on their fertility when they have or have not been
observed. Other customs are performed when the girl has been engaged,
prior to her wedding day and they are carried on when she leaves her home
right up to when she gets to the groom's place on the wedding day. This
encourages both the maternal and paternal ancestors to co-operate between
themselves in providing the married couples with children and overall wellbeing
in their married life.
In the same chapter there is a discussion of traditional preparations for
enabling the bride to fall pregnant after marriage when she encounters
problems of not conceiving even when customary precautions have been
practiced.
The third chapter focuses on emphasizing the causes of failure to conceive in
the bride and what should be done, using traditional methods so as to
overcome these problems. Different types of diseases that lead to barrenness
or infertility, ancestral spirits, African traditions Which have been neglected,
different ways of witchcraft as well as different types of snakes of love potions
which eventually destroy the blood clots where from the feotus develop have
been highlighted.
The fourth chapter focuses on revealing the causes of miscarriages and
resolutions thereof the African way. Close scrutiny is given to the different
ways of sorcery which lead to miscarriages, dreams of man-made bad spirits
and those of the deceased, and infectious and non-infectious diseases which
may have a detrimental effect on the unborn baby. Focus has also been
placed on the importance of cleansing the woman who has had a miscarriage,
being cleansed from bad luck using the stomach contents of a goat. What
happens to a man who gets intimate with an unpleased woman is also
clarified in this research work.
The fifth chapter is an analysis where the research is being analyzed. There
are also recommendations which can be followed to open the eyes of the
community so as to get their problems solved. These recommendations
encourage especially Black people to stick to their customs which is a way of
keeping traditional rituals or practices as well as their traditional religion so
that even if they follow the Western culture but they should not do away with
the science of their black ancestors.
Description
Submitted in partial fullfilment for the requirements of the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of IsiZulu namaGugu in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Zululand, 1999.
Keywords
Zulu (African people)--Social life and customs, Zulu (African people)--Customs and traditions, Prenatal influencies