Accumulation of cultural capital: the acquisition of indigenous knowledge by traditional healers in the Limpopo province of South Africa

Abstract

While most of the African population consult traditional healers, and depend on indigenous medical knowledge for survival, there is a consensus from researchers that there is limited understanding of how this type of knowledge is acquired and managed. The study sought to investigate how traditional healers in the Limpopo province of South Africa acquired their knowledge of traditional healing. This qualitative study adopted hermeneutic phenomenology research method and utilised snowball sampling technique to determine the population. Data were collected through interviews of 27 traditional healers from the five regions of the Limpopo province. This study was guided by the organisational knowledge conversion theory. The findings suggest different methods of knowledge acquisition among healers. This includes formal training where one was chosen and undergoes spiritual training and informally when one or some of the family members are taught about traditional healings by a healer in the family.