Page 60 - JCBP-2-2

Journal of Clinical and
Basic Psychosomatics Cultural coping for PTSD among amaXhosa

accidents, and the death of a loved one. Consequently, Additionally, participants mentioned the adoption of
their ensuing behaviors were consistent with symptoms culturally informed practices for treating PTSD. Typical
of PTSD, including sleep disturbances, stressful dreams cultural traditional practices, revealed during interviews,
or nightmares, stressful thoughts, flashbacks, anger, included the use of the plant “impepho” and social support.
and anxiety or fear. Some participants perceived these The following quote highlights the use of impepho:
symptoms as naturally occurring and expected following “Well, firstly it was impepho that the healer gave
traumatic encounters, particularly emphasizing the me. It obviously can cleanse spirits, the one that
occurrence of stressful dreams. The following instance you burn. The medication that has been mixed
highlights this perspective, with quotations from two with water then you would have to wash with it.
participants provided verbatim to promote authenticity: It’s a plant you get it and burn it. It, in cultural
(i) “I had difficult times with my sleep at night. I tried we believe that the smoke chases away evil spirit.”
sleeping sometimes and had terrible dreams. (Participant 7)
In my opinion, I think it is natural for people Scientifically known as Helichrysum, impepho was
to have wired (sic) dreams when something used for “ubulawu,” a practice involving body cleansing.
traumatic happens to them.” (Participant 1) Additionally, the plant was burned, and as the smoke
(ii) “You see, I couldn’t sleep, and if I try and ascended, individuals communicated with smoke. These
sleep I have fearful dreams. I think the fearful practices symbolize the expulsion of spirits thought to
dreams were because of the death of my contribute to PTSD symptoms, aiming to promote healing.
grandfather.” (Participant 11).
Social support, deeply ingrained in the cultural,
While 12 out of the 15 participants expressed enhanced the healing process. Participants highlighted
uncertainty about the origins of their traumatic symptoms, the importance of connecting with family and friends to
two individuals who experienced the loss of loved receive words of encouragement, care, love, and financial
ones attributed the symptoms to spiritual causes, as aid, which they found beneficial in managing PTSD
demonstrated below: symptoms. An example illustrating the necessity for
(i) “The behaviors we have, when we go through familial support is provided below:
trauma, have spiritual meanings. I lost “When those behaviors started, I know mummy
someone I truly love, and now I can’t sleep is part of me and what mummy is saying will be
and have fear. That means his dead spirit the best. She backed me with prayers, spoke to me
is around and appearing in my dreams.” and advised me. In fact, she gave me emotional
(Participant 2) stability and strength and also made suggestions
(ii) “It happens in my dreams a lot any time in the related to my upkeep and that were really helpful.”
day, and I see his spirit talking to me. So that (Participant 5)
is why I don’t even want to sleep, but I will Social support offers survivors of PTSD a safe
sleep after seeing the sangoma (traditional environment and minimizes symptoms such as anxiety,
healer).” (Participant 11). stressful thought processes, and withdrawal symptoms.
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These understandings shaped the participants’ decision Over time, survivors start to experience a sense of belonging
to adopt culturally informed practices to aid in their and can gradually return to their regular activities.
healing process.
3.4. Various complementary practices among
3.3. Coping with symptoms of PTSDs among interviewees
interviewees The study revealed that participants employed a
The participants used two main coping strategies rooted in combination of Christian religious practices and culturally
their culture in treating the symptoms of PTSD: (i) Christian informed traditions in treating symptoms of PTSD. This
religious practices and (ii) culturally informed practices. amalgamation of beliefs and practices is consistent with
Participants frequently employed Christian religious practices, previous findings, such as those from research on the Mole-
with interviewees sharing the significance of prayers as a Dagbons in Ghana, where individuals similarly integrate
significant healing method in overcoming PTSD. The following Christian and indigenous practices in treating symptoms
quotation demonstrates a participant’s belief in prayers: of PTSD. Participants offered insights into the rationale
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“For me, I am a Christian, so I began praying behind incorporating multiple practices for treatment:
to God to intervene. I prayed hard to God….” (i) “…You know we live in a world of spiritual
(Participant 15) things, and science people cannot explain

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2024) 5 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcbp.2889