Psychiatric, traditional and other interpretations of Ukuthwetyulwa : a witchcraft phenomenon in the Western Cape

This paper attempts to address the way in which a phenomenon that has been constructed within a traditional African framework, is confronted by and reinterpreted within a western psychiatric framework. This in turn may shed light on the way in which psychiatric and traditional discourses may be used in the process of the formation of a collectively accepted understanding of ukuthwetyulwa. The study provides the opportunity to explore the relationship between psychiatric and traditional discourses surrounding ukuthwetyulwa, at a moment in history when the issue of traditional healing practice and its relationship to psychiatry is increasingly on the agenda of mental health policy makers in South Africa.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Psychology

Year dc:date.issued

1996

Author dc:creator

• Kirk, Jennifer Anne

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Gibson, Kerry

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/13480

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/13480