Bereavement rituals and their related psychosocial functions in a Northern Sotho community of South Africa

Death Stud. 2021;45(2):91-100. doi: 10.1080/07481187.2019.1616852. Epub 2019 May 20.

Abstract

The study sought to explore bereavement rituals and their related psychosocial significance in an African cultural setting. A descriptive phenomenological design was adopted. Fourteen adults were purposefully sampled to participate in in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using Hycner's adapted phenomenological method, which resulted in four themes: (a) the cleansing ritual ceremony/go-ntšha setšhila, (b) ancestor reverence rituals, (c) rituals for protecting the deceased spirit, and (d) vengeance ritual/letswa. Ritual performance is associated with diverse psychosocial benefits including the prevention of a culture-specific bereavement illness. Essentially, ritual performance is for healing in that it lessens bereavement from becoming disabling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bereavement*
  • Ceremonial Behavior*
  • Grief
  • Humans
  • South Africa