Abstract
Empirical work related to African spirituality in the social sciences, particularly within the social work context, is sparse. It is crucial that practitioners have a deeper understanding of the beliefs and practices that can support therapeutic goals in practice. Using qualitative research methodology, 20 child and youth care students at a selected university in South Africa, who are proponents of African spirituality, were interviewed with regards to their beliefs and practices. The major objective was to gain a richer insight into African spirituality and those African healing methodologies considered most relevant to child and youth care practice. Prayer to the ancestral spirits, sacrificial rituals and music were considered to be some of the most important practices identified that could guide both child and youth care practice and social work.
Highlights
The need for a spiritually sensitive approach to social work practice has grown within the global landscape (Bullis, 2013; Crisp, 2016; Holloway & Moss, 2010)
This highlights the need for African spirituality to be recognised alongside these other faith traditions, but more importantly for local practitioners to be able to tap into the therapeutic methods it offers within the context of practice
It is time that greater attention be paid to the therapeutic richness offered by African spirituality, the healing methodologies used by its adherents
Summary
The need for a spiritually sensitive approach to social work practice has grown within the global landscape (Bullis, 2013; Crisp, 2016; Holloway & Moss, 2010). Concomitant with this, the related literature on Christianity, Islam and Hinduism has grown in a quest to make practitioners take greater cognisance of the spiritual needs and practices of clients from these backgrounds (Bhagwan, 2017). It is time that greater attention be paid to the therapeutic richness offered by African spirituality, the healing methodologies used by its adherents It is against this background that the current study was undertaken to explore through a qualitative inquiry the healing methodologies and approaches that were most relevant to work with African youths, their families and communities
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