Karanga religious perception of health and well-being

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Periodical article

Title:	Karanga religious perception of health and well-being
Author:	Shoko, Tabona
Year:	2007
Periodical:	Journal for the Study of Religion
Volume:	20
Issue:	1
Pages:	31-41
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Zimbabwe
Subjects:	African religions Karanga research methods diseases
Abstract:	This paper constitutes part of an extended study about the Karanga people in Mberengwa, a subgroup of the Shona people of Zimbabwe, in which an argument is developed which contends that the core concern of Karanga religion is health and well-being, and that this central concern is logical, rational and consistent. The paper discusses theoretical and practical methods that have been applied to the study of the Karanga religion. It offers an 'insider' approach based on aspects of the phenomenological method, that is, using the believer's first-hand testimony rather than relying on preconceptions about the Karanga religion. The paper shows that the principles formulated by scholars such as W.B. Kristensen, G. van der Leeuw, and J.C. Bleeker are crucial to the study. It also presents the practical methods of data collection employed in the study. These include the different types of interviews, comprising unstructured, free-association and group interviews as well as participant observation. The pros and cons of utilizing such methods are highlighted and recommendations for further research are made. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]