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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Witches, healers, and helminths: Sotho beliefs regarding the utilisation of the latent power of phenomena
Author:Kriel, J.D.ISNI
Year:2003
Periodical:Anthropology Southern Africa
Volume:26
Issue:3-4
Pages:167-171
Language:English
Geographic term:South Africa
Subjects:Sotho
witchcraft
traditional medicine
intestinal diseases
Abstract:The high prevalence of helminth infections in some black communities in South Africa may be attributed to inadequate water supply and sewerage facilities as well as to low standards of environmental hygiene. However, there are two other modes of contamination. One involves the ingestion of 'Taenia solium' (tapeworm) eggs or segments as a form of treatment for helminth infections, whilst the other involves the deliberate 'poisoning' of a person. This article is based on research carried out in 2002-2003 in some of the formal and informal Sotho settlements to the north of Pretoria. The aim of the research was to verify earlier findings regarding traditional healers and their medicines and to follow up the rumours that helminths are used for benevolent as well as malevolent purposes by healers ('dingaka'), witches ('baloi') and knowledgeable community members. The results indicate that the 'medicines' prepared by traditional healers as an 'antidote' for helminth infections usually contain only pulverized and charred tapeworm segments and the possibility of ingesting live tapeworm eggs is very unlikely. Although interviewees knew that T. solium eggs and segments may be used to prepare 'medicines' or ' poisons', they all condemned their use as evil and destructive. Bibliogr., sum. [ASC Leiden abstract]
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