Wearing of artefacts for preventive and promotive care: An African indigenous practice of go thekga during infancy

Excerpt

The African health care system is considered part of their cultural heritage, which has been assimilated over the years and has been passed from one generation to the next. This chapter focuses on the wearing of artefacts as an African indigenous practice of go thekga, where babies in infancy (from birth to twelve months) wear artefacts to prevent diseases and ward off evil spirits who can affect their being (physical, emotional and spiritual). This chapter provides knowledge and understanding of (1) the types of artefacts worn by infants and the different beliefs attached to the artefacts, (2) the purposes of the artefacts and (3) healers who provide artefacts. In certain societies around the world, artefacts are worn by infants for disease prevention and health care-promotion. Hence, it is imperative that the health care professionals based in health care settings have knowledge and understanding of such artefacts and for them to provide culturally competent care to these infants as they are constantly in contact with the children throughout infancy.