Abstract
In African societies, traditional slaughter is linked to celebrations like weddings or births, as well as funerals and ancestor veneration. Participants in traditional slaughter of goats are at risk of exposure to hazards during slaughter, food preparation and consumption of goat meat. For risk mitigation strategies to be implemented, identification of the population at risk is required. This study is based on the premise that the demographic profile of people involved in traditional slaughter of goats is important for risk communication. Both structured and informal interviews were recorded and analysed using a thematic analysis. A total of 105 people were interviewed at taxi ranks in Tshwane, Gauteng. Of these, 48 were women and 57 men. The median age of women and men was 40.6 years and 44.3 years, respectively. The majority of respondents (61.9%, n = 65) interviewed were from the Gauteng Province. Sixty percent (n = 63) of respondents had a secondary education, whilst less than 4.81% (n = 5) of respondents had no formal education. This study demonstrated that interviewing commuters at taxi ranks gave access to a cross section of gender, age, language and origin. It was found that both genders were involved in traditional slaughter of goats. Risk communication strategies should thus target women as well as men. Communication strategies to mitigate the risks of traditional slaughter of goats should take into consideration the dynamic nature of demographic and cultural norms. In light of the wide demographic profile of the respondents, it was concluded that it should be possible to use taxi ranks for successful dissemination of food safety and occupational health risk mitigation messages.
Highlights
Traditional rituals involving the use of sacrificial animals have existed for thousands of years (Nosotro 2012)
It is estimated that 38% of goats in South Africa are used for traditional purposes (Braker et al 2002)
According to Thorpe (1993), African traditional religions belong to a category described as primal religions, as they have no sacred written scripture, but are orally passed from generation to generation
Summary
Traditional rituals involving the use of sacrificial animals have existed for thousands of years (Nosotro 2012). It was mentioned in the Bible and recorded in hieroglyphics that Ancient Egyptians in North Africa sacrificed animals as part of religious ceremonies. In Africa, traditional rituals and ceremonies involving sacrifice or slaughter of livestock are still performed to address personal problems, to show respect for the ancestors, for celebrations like weddings or births and for funerals (Braker, Udo & Webb 2002; Michel et al 2004; Thorpe 1993). It is estimated that 38% of goats in South Africa are used for traditional purposes (Braker et al 2002). According to Thorpe (1993), African traditional religions belong to a category described as primal religions, as they have no sacred written scripture, but are orally passed from generation to generation
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