Thesis (M. A. (Sociology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / Climate change has become one of the most daunting challenges facing humanity in the 21st century. It has direct and profound effects on the environment, economy, health and safety. Since most developing countries have agro-based economies, they are more vulnerable to climate change impacts as compared to the developed world. The aim of this study was to explore Mutoko rural community members’ understanding of climate change and the indigenous measures they use to adapt to its impacts. The study was empirical and data were collected using in-depth interviews. The findings show that Mutoko community members have knowledge of changes in climatic conditions which manifest as increased temperature and erratic rainfall patterns. The impact of increased temperature and erratic rainfall were observed. Furthermore, community members mentioned the type of clouds, mountains and the direction from which the rains comes as indications of climate change. It has also been discovered that numerous cultural activities such as ‘mafuwe’ (rain making ceremony) have changed due to climate change. As a result various adaptation measures such as changing crop types are employed by community members to sustain their livelihood. The study concludes that even though community members in Mutoko are aware of climate change and its indicators, they still struggle to adapt regardless of them having a few adaptation strategies they have developed and use to lessen the negative impacts of changing climatic conditions on their livelihood. Key words: Climate change, Climate hazards, Indigenous practices, Knowledge, Mutoko community,

Thesis (M.Cur.) --University of Limpopo, 2013 / Indigenous knowledge (IK) originated from a particular community within a broader cultural tradition. It is stated that IK is socially transmitted shared knowledge, beliefs, and/or practices that vary systematically across different cultural groups. It is further indicated that IK is a critical determinant of human behaviour and health, and the intergenerational mother in the society. Indigenous forms of communication and organisation are seen as important to family and societal decision-making processes with regard to health related issues like care given to children from birth onwards and curing of childhood illness. The operational plan for Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Care, Management and Treatment (CCMT) South Africa points out that some South African citizens prefer to consult traditional health practitioners (THPs) on a regular basis for their health problems. The study conducted by Peltzer, Phaswana-Mafuya and Treger (2009) points out that THPs use indigenous practices to prevent and heal childhood illnesses. The aim of the study: To determine indigenous practices by mothers of children admitted in the paediatric unit of a Polokwane/Mankweng hospital complex in the Limpopo Province. The objectives of this study: To explore and describe the indigenous practices of mothers of children admitted in a paediatric unit of a Polokwane/Mankweng hospital complex, Limpopo Province, and to recommend guiding principles based on the study findings for healthcare professionals on the strategies that can be used to assist mothers of children admitted in a paediatric unit of a Polokwane/Mankweng hospital complex of the Limpopo Province. Design and Method: A qualitative, descriptive and explorative research design was conducted for the participants to describe the indigenous practices in relation to managing and treating childhood illnesses. Data were collected by means of unstructured one-on-one interviews at the Mankweng/ Polokwane hospital complex with mothers of children admitted at the paediatric unit. Criteria for trustworthiness were observed as stipulated in Babbie and Mouton (2009). Ethical standards by DENOSA (1998) were adhered to in order to ensure the quality of the study. Findings: Three themes with sub-themes emerged from the data analysis, using Tech’s open coding approach (Cresswell 2009:186), i.e. analogous indigenous practices in curing childhood illnesses, believes related to the indigenous healing process and THP treating of HIV infected children. It is recommended that healthcare providers need to have understanding of indigenous belief systems in relation to healthcare, and work towards incorporating this understanding into their service delivery to recognise and to embark upon the journey of working with THPs.

Thesis (M.CUR.) --University of Limpopo, 2014 / Indigenous practices (IPs) are experiences generated by people who are living in a specific region context and a specific cultured group. IPs are shaped by cultural traits that are passed from one generation to the next. The practices are rooted and embedded in such a society and, therefore, the practices become part of the people’s lifestyle. It is difficult to try and change these practices, since people have adhered to them throughout their entire lives. The believe system plays a major role in health care seeking behaviour of individuals because they are informed by the IPs that are observed in their environment (Shaik & Hatcher, 2005). IPs are stored in people’s memories and are expressed in songs, dances, beliefs, rituals, cultural values, myths, and healing of diseases by using herbs. During pregnancy, IPs are still applied worldwide. Ayaz and Efe (2008) indicate that it occurs mostly in Turkey and Africa where women’s reassurance is depending on the local context and meaning of pregnancy. THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY To determine indigenous practices of pregnant women at the Dilokong Hospital in the Greater Tubatse Municipality of the Limpopo Province.This was achieved by the exploring and describing the indigenous practices of pregnant women in the antenatal (ANC) clinic of the maternity ward at the Dilokong Hospital.. DESIGN AND METHOD A qualitative, descriptive, explorative and contextual research design was used for the participants to describe the indigenous practices by pregnant women. Data was collected by means of unstructured one-on-one interviews in maternity unit of the ANC clinic at the Dilokong Hospital of the Greater Tubatse Municipality. Ethical considerations as described by Denosa (2000) were adhered to in order to ensure the v quality of the study. The criteria for trustworthiness were observed as stipulated in Babbie and Mouton (2009).Fifteen pregnant women were interviewed. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Four themes with sub-themes emerged from the data analysis by using Tech’ṡ open coding approach (Creswell 2006, Botma, Greef, Mulaudzi & Wright, 2010). Four themes were emerged namely; indigenous practices based on ancestral knowledge; indigenous practices based on spiritual diviners versus church principles; restricted practices versus instructions followed during pregnancy and labour and indigenous practices during labour and delivery. It is recommended that a national IP strategy needs to be developed to provide a framework and platform to support and promote grass roots IPs into mainstream development in the health care system in relation to midwifery practice. CONCLUSION The study findings indicated that IPs were regarded as an honourable health intervention by THPs, families, and pregnant women. They showed trust in methods used to preserve pregnancy, labour, and delivery, although, the indigenous practices by pregnant women still continue. Indigenous practices such as cords around their waists, are still observed during physical examinations. However, there is a reduction of prescribed potions mixed with cool drinks for use to accelerate labour and to prevent negative consequences because the potential toxicity has been explained during the provision of health education. These findings call for health care professionals to emphasise training and workshops for the THPs church diviners that are the fundamental principle of effective implementation of IPs to enhance improvement in the prevention of complications during pregnancy, labour and delivery. KEYWORDS Pregnant women Indigenous practice Indigenous knowledge

Five graduate students from the Marital and Family Art Therapy Program at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) conducted a research study to explore the characteristics and attributes of collective art practices and how they contribute to healing. A survey including quantitative measures and qualitative responses were administered on the Qualtrics platform, allowing for a wide geographic reach and rapid data collection. The subsequent qualitative analysis involved the creation of visual artworks by the researchers, utilizing the arts as data to identify additional common themes contributing to healing attributes. The data revealed three major themes, or characteristics, of how art contributes to healing: (1) shared collective experience, (2) validation and space for emotional expression, and (3) art as a conduit of healing. These three themes were recurrent throughout the responses and emerged from participants' responses to three specific questions, driven by a curiosity about the attributes and experiences involving art and community. The results gathered not only provided parallel alignment with significant deviation from those gathered during the literature review, but also shed light on the profound impact of creative expression in fostering well-being, cultivating interpersonal connections, and promoting emotional healing within collective settings. This insight offers valuable guidance for future researchers and art therapists, emphasizing the importance of incorporating collective healing elements into their practice and theoretical frameworks.

Thesis (M. A. (Nursing)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Indigenous practices are performances that occur naturally in a region or a growing living environment. Most women believe in indigenous practices because of their cultures and social structure. In South Africa regardless of the availability and accessibility of maternal and child health services, 50% of women were found that they still consult traditional birth attendants as their first choice during pregnancy, labour, delivery, and postnatal care. The purpose of the study was to determine the indigenous practices of women during pregnancy, labour and puerperium amongst cultural groupings at selected hospitals in Limpopo Province, South Africa. A Convergent parallel mixed method design was used in the study to collect both qualitative and quantitative data at the same time. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to select 15 participants and Probability simple random sampling was used to select 125 women who were pregnant, in labour and puerperium using slovin’s formula. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview with a guide for qualitative strand and a self-administered structured questionnaire for quantitative srtand. Data were analysed qualitatively using tech’s open coding method and quantitatively using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 25 with the assistance of the University of Limpopo’s Bio-statistician. The results of the study showed that most women use indigeneous practices for protection against witchcraft, fear of giving birth in caesarian section and many other reasons.THPs and church leaders are regarded as the most principled people in their community. Indigenous women are aware of the sign and symptoms during pregnancy, labour, and puerperium which may determine consultation to healthcare practitioners, but they choose THPs and church leaders. Most women still rely on their religious beliefs to assist during their labour. Pregnant women, those in labour and puerperium should be supported to practice their religious beliefs and practices. THPs and church leaders are obliged to teach their clients and ensure that they know the names and components of the traditional medicines and church rituals they use.The nursing education should include indigenous practices in the curriculum so, that healthcare practitioners know about the indigenous practices and can serve as assistance in the training and development of health practitioners who continuously care for women during pregnancy, labour, and puerperium and as a result, may reduce maternal and child morbidity and mortality in Limpopo Province, South Africa.