Understanding the causes of trauma: the Indigenous African perspective

Abstract

We investigated the African Belief System on explanation of the causes of trauma. The study was conducted in the rural communities of the Vhembe District in South Africa. Seventy-five participants (female = 55; male = 20; age range = 25–60 years; mean age = 35.6 years; ethnicity: Black African) were conveniently selected for the study. Focus group discussions were conducted with the participants. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis. The African Belief System gives various causal reasons of trauma. The causes range from natural to witchcraft and ‘mazhuluzhulu’. Other causes include rape, road accidents, house or business breaking, murder, domestic violence and ancestral spirits. Future study with a larger sample is recommended to increase the transferability of the findings to people in similar situations.