The Impeding and Expediating Factors in the Work of Traditional Healersina Zezuru Shona Community

Percy Taruvinga, Sodi T.

(University of Limpopo, South Africa)

Abstract: Studies have shown the scarcity of mental health practitioners against the gaps in mental health needs. African countries have used traditional healers to service their communities with very few western trained mental health practitioners. This study aimed to explore the challenges and factors facilitating the work of Zezuru Shona traditional healers in attending to mentally ill people, with the view of capturing the psychological themes entrenched in their culturally constructed experiences. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten traditional healers and analyzed using the interpretive phenomenological explication method by Hycner. Results revealed the behavioral (discrimination, theft and treatment failure) and emotional challenges (anger and Jealosy) in the work of traditional healers, while financial and educational factors expedite their work. Conventional healers report that they experience discomfort when faced with situations that affect their work. These findings suggest that the expediting and impeding factors faced by traditional healers in delivering a service are internal and external. There is an uneven playing field for the indigenous knowledge healing system and mainstream psychology. Zimbabwean policymakers must smoothen the work of traditional healers along ethical lines. The indigenous knowledge healing system and mainstream psychology need to discover how working together can complement the weakness of the other with their strength to improve mental health. The traditional healing system is an available and cheaper resource that needs recognition and constant review to improve access to mental health.

Key words: traditional healer, mainstream psychology, conventional healer, mental illness