My life as a traditional healer in the 21st Century | Amanda Gcabashe | TEDxJohannesburg
TEDx Talks・9 minutes read
The text discusses the integration of traditional medicine into primary health care systems, focusing on the narrator's journey as a sangoma in a corporate setting, navigating issues of regulation and societal acceptance. The process of becoming a sangoma, known as Ukwaza, involves a lifelong journey starting with a teacher, highlighting the narrator's personal connection to traditional healing through their mother's illness and passing.
Insights
- The World Health Organization advocated for integrating traditional medicine into primary health care systems in 1978, emphasizing the importance of blending conventional and traditional practices for holistic healthcare.
- The narrator's personal journey into traditional healing, influenced by their mother's illness and death, highlights the complex interplay between personal experiences, cultural heritage, and societal expectations, especially in navigating roles within modern contexts like the corporate environment.
Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free
Recent questions
What is the significance of traditional medicine in primary health care systems?
Traditional medicine plays a crucial role in primary health care systems, as recognized by the World Health Organization in 1978. Incorporating traditional healing practices alongside modern medicine can provide a holistic approach to healthcare, addressing cultural beliefs and practices that are deeply rooted in communities around the world.
When did South Africa legalize parts of traditional healing?
South Africa legalized parts of traditional healing in 1981, marking a significant step towards recognizing and integrating traditional healing practices into the country's healthcare system. This move aimed to honor the cultural heritage and beliefs of South African communities while also providing access to a wider range of healing modalities for the population.
How does the process of becoming a sangoma, known as Ukwaza, begin?
The process of becoming a sangoma, known as Ukwaza, starts with finding a teacher who will guide the individual on a lifelong journey of learning and spiritual growth. This mentorship is essential in passing down the knowledge, rituals, and practices of traditional healing from one generation to the next, ensuring the preservation of cultural heritage and healing traditions.
What is the narrator's personal journey into traditional healing intertwined with?
The narrator's personal journey into traditional healing is intertwined with their mother's illness and passing, highlighting the emotional and spiritual connection between healing practices and personal experiences. This profound connection serves as a driving force for the narrator's exploration of traditional healing and their role as a sangoma in society.
What conflict does the narrator face as a sangoma in a corporate environment?
The narrator, a sangoma in a corporate environment, grapples with the conflict of balancing their traditional healing practices with the regulations and understanding of traditional medicine in society. This internal struggle reflects the broader societal challenges of integrating traditional healing into modern healthcare systems while honoring cultural beliefs and practices.
Related videos
Sacred Valley Healing
Sacred Valley Healing: Alonso Del Rio - Working with Plant Medicines
MAPS
Integrating the Modern Practice of Traditional Ayahuasca Shamanism - Joe Tafur
The Doctor's Kitchen
The MOST POWERFUL Herbs That Help Heal The Body & Prevent Disease | Simon Mills
PowerfulJRE
Neal Brennan's Story About Using Ayahuasca for Depression
TEDx Talks
Why you feel what you feel | Alan Watkins | TEDxOxford
Summary
00:00
Traditional Healing: A Modern Dilemma
- In 1978, the World Health Organization urged member states to incorporate traditional medicine into primary health care systems.
- South Africa only legalized parts of traditional healing in 1981.
- China has fewer people using traditional Chinese medicine than Africa does with African traditional medicine.
- The process of becoming a sangoma, known as Ukwaza, involves a lifelong journey starting with a teacher.
- The narrator's journey into traditional healing was intertwined with their mother's illness and passing.
- The conflict arises for the narrator, a sangoma in a corporate environment, as they question their role in a society grappling with regulation and understanding of traditional healing practices.
