Ucwaningo olunzulu ngesiko lemvelo lokunakekelwa kokukhulelwa nokubeletha = A critical analysis of indigenous knowledge systems related to pregnancy care (antenatal) and infant delivery
This research work is an effort to scrutinize the custom of cultural preparations for pregnancy, following the procedures and African traditions because culture is the backbone of human life and the most important factor in human development. In this thesis, explanations are also given for the infertility of young brides and what is done traditionally to solve such problems. Problems of complications during the gestation period which result in miscarriages are analyzed as well as procedures which must be undertaken after a miscarriage in order to prevent a recurrence thereof, by following African methods. What encouraged the researcher was to bring to the awareness of the Black Nation the need to look back to their ancestors' customs which they lived before the advent of hospitals and clinics. It has to dawn their minds that the numerous health problems which they encounter these days and which white doctors fail to cure, can be controlled if they stick to their customs. Some of these problems is failure of women to conceive when they are already married as well as miscarriages. Most of these problems emanate from the fact that the majority have lost their traditional practices and have stuck to those of nations belonging to the Western culture. Therefore, the knowledge which is gathered in this research emphasizes the gist of the research which says: "The science of the Blacks, of using traditional herbs and of communicating with their ancestors in order to get help, worked for the great grandparents, is stiff working nowadays, and it will continue to work effectively for the next generations as long as they practice it. The first chapter indicates the objectives and the incentives which inspired the researcher to research this topic, following the processes of the African culture after experiencing the pain suffered by African women who lose their marriages because of not bearing children, as well as suffering miscarriages which is caused by neglecting or looking down upon their customs, or because of not believing in them or ignorance about them. The predecessors who have researched and written something on this topic are also highlighted in this chapter. The second chapter focuses on the research which has been done on African rituals which should be done for men and women when they reach puberty which have an impact on their fertility when they have or have not been observed. Other customs are performed when the girl has been engaged, prior to her wedding day and they are carried on when she leaves her home right up to when she gets to the groom's place on the wedding day. This encourages both the maternal and paternal ancestors to co-operate between themselves in providing the married couples with children and overall wellbeing in their married life. In the same chapter there is a discussion of traditional preparations for enabling the bride to fall pregnant after marriage when she encounters problems of not conceiving even when customary precautions have been practiced. The third chapter focuses on emphasizing the causes of failure to conceive in the bride and what should be done, using traditional methods so as to overcome these problems. Different types of diseases that lead to barrenness or infertility, ancestral spirits, African traditions Which have been neglected, different ways of witchcraft as well as different types of snakes of love potions which eventually destroy the blood clots where from the feotus develop have been highlighted. The fourth chapter focuses on revealing the causes of miscarriages and resolutions thereof the African way. Close scrutiny is given to the different ways of sorcery which lead to miscarriages, dreams of man-made bad spirits and those of the deceased, and infectious and non-infectious diseases which may have a detrimental effect on the unborn baby. Focus has also been placed on the importance of cleansing the woman who has had a miscarriage, being cleansed from bad luck using the stomach contents of a goat. What happens to a man who gets intimate with an unpleased woman is also clarified in this research work. The fifth chapter is an analysis where the research is being analyzed. There are also recommendations which can be followed to open the eyes of the community so as to get their problems solved. These recommendations encourage especially Black people to stick to their customs which is a way of keeping traditional rituals or practices as well as their traditional religion so that even if they follow the Western culture but they should not do away with the science of their black ancestors.
Zulu (African people)--Social life and customs, Zulu (African people)--Customs and traditions, Prenatal influencies
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