For many of us, healing starts in the home, in ritual, in community, and in deep spiritual connection. As both a clinical psychologist and iGqirha, a Xhosa divine healer, I have come to understand that mental wellness in Africa cannot be fully supported without acknowledging the value of African traditional medicine and spirituality.
African traditional medicine
matters
For centuries, African communities have turned to indigenous healing systems to address physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges. These systems include the use of medicinal plants, spiritual divination, ancestral rituals, and the strength of communal support. For many, traditional medicine is not “alternative” – it is the first and most trusted form of care.
Unfortunately, over the years, traditional healing practices have often been dismissed or viewed with scepticism in mainstream medical settings. Yet,…
