Dualism, pluralism or syncretism(?)

Abstract

Before the colonial era, African Indigenous people lived in societies deeply rooted in African Spirituality, which functioned as both a belief system and a way of life. These communities believed in a Supreme God and venerated their ancestors. With the arrival of Europeans and missionaries, Christianity was introduced and evangelised across Africa, often condemning Indigenous practices, including traditional healing. Traditional healing came to be questioned and was labelled a demonic practice by missionaries. This study explored the lived experiences of individuals who grew up in Christian families and were called to become indigenous healers in rural KwaZulu-Natal. A phenomenological research design was employed to examine the lived experiences of indigenous healers. The research was guided by Critical Theory as a theoretical framework. The qualitative study used in-depth semi-structured interviews, both in-person and telephonic, to generate data. Both snowballing and heterogeneous sampling methods were used to recruit 11 participants. The data was analysed thematically. Several themes emerged, which include a) Familial Dynamics, b) Faith and Tradition Clash, c) Internal/identity conflict, d) Fear of Spiritual Contamination or Sin, e) Fear of family reputation, f) Spiritual Pluralism and Syncretism, g) Cultural Heritage and Pride. This study found that some indigenous healers experienced rejection upon disclosing their ancestral calling, while others were accepted and supported despite prevailing religious beliefs and societal stigmatisation. Families that rejected traditional healing did so out of fear of violating Christian commandments, as influenced by missionary teachings that associated traditional healing with sin and witchcraft. In contrast, families that embraced traditional healing viewed it as a reconnection with ancestral roots and cultural heritage. They saw the possibility of blending traditional healing with Christianity when love and support were present. The study encourages embracing religious pluralism, advocating for understanding diverse religious and cultural practices rather than viewing them in opposition.