Abstract
Most African countries consider queer individuals or any gender expressions that are perceived as queer to be pathological, illegal and immoral. Political and community leaders have often expressed their contestation of queer identities with the controversial statement that ‘Homosexuality/queer identities are un-African’. South Africa has been considered to be the most progressive country in terms of laws protecting queer identities however, the realities of black queer individuals tell a different story. They constantly have to live in fear due to the stigma, discrimination and violence that queer individuals encounter daily. Traditional healers are significant people in South African communities, they provide a holistic view of African indigenous healing practices. However, their impact and contribution in society is often not acknowledged and recognised. This is often expressed through misconceptions, stereotypes, and uniformed claims that their indigenous work is unscientific and thus lack scientific reliability and validity. Moreover, the existing literature is firmly grounded on the long history that constructed traditional healers as witchdoctors and labelling their practices as barbaric. This study provided space for reconfiguring questions centred around complexities of sexual and gender identity among black queer traditional healers and to explore intersections of queerness and traditional healing. Furthermore, to delve into what occurs when an individual possesses and occupies these intersecting identities. The purpose of the study is to explore the narratives of black queer traditional healers in the context of ubungoma (divination). How they engage in a process of self-discovery in the diverse phases of their lives while trying to navigate, negotiate and reclaim their positions in a heteronormative and westernised society. The study included a total of six participants that are izangoma (diviners), that are either in training or have completed their training. They embodied various identities, and these included identifying as African (specifically falling under the racial category of Black) and being queer (any non-heteronormative gender/sexual identity)...
M.A. (Clinical Psychology)