Community Psychology & Research Methods: PSY 322

Community Psychology and Research Methods: PSY 322, supplementary degree examination January 2012

African Traditional And Religious Faith Healing Practices And The Provision Of Psychological Wellbeing Among Amaxhosa People

The African Renaissance Movement has become one of the defining issues among African leaders in various fields including government, academic life and religion. This resurgence in investigating and celebrating African resources of meaning invites diversified expertise and this article contributes to this movement through an examination of the important dimension of psychotherapy. The paper explores the contribution of African traditional and religious faith healing practices in the provision of psychological wellbeing. The authors identify a strong relationship between African traditional and religious faith healing. Related practices among the amaXhosa people of the Eastern Cape, South Africa are used to exemplify both healing effects and psychological wellbeing outcomes. The religious component is addressed using Christian based methods of attending to psychological wellbeing. We argue that although generally viewed with suspicion, misrepresented, and even rejected in some circles, traditional and religious faith healing ceremonies enhance the release of misdirected energies and, as such, should be considered as a proper part of mainstream forms of therapeutic intervention. A strong call is thus made to regard the African traditional and religious faith healing methods as complementary to the current taken-as-mainstream provisions for people's wellbeing. Keywords: Faith healing, psychological wellbeing, African traditional healing, traditional healers, amadlozi, psychotherapy, healing practices, herbal mixtureIndilinga Vol. 7 (2) 2008: pp. 119-13

Community Psychology: PSY 524

Community Psychology: PSY 524, degree examination November 2010

Community Psychology: PSY 524

Community Psychology: PSY 524, supplementary examinations January 2012

Introduction to Psychology: PSY 122

Introduction to Psychology: PSY 122, supplementary examination January 2010

Introduction to Psychology II: PSY 122

Introduction to Psychology II: PSY 122, degree examination November 2009

Introduction to Psychology: PSY 122

Introduction to Psychology: PSY 122, supplementary examination January 2010

Community Psychology: PSY 524

Community Psychology: PSY 524, degree examination November 2009

Psychopathology and Counselling Psychology: PSY 311

Psychopathology and Counselling Psychology: PSY 311, special examination January 2012