The Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices of Allandale Village Regarding Women’s Reproductive Health: A Community-Based Study
Mdhluli Ophilile 
, Rendani Tshifhumulo & Pfarelo Eva Matshidze
Issue: Vol.6 No.10 Article 12 pp.2400 – 2411
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.202561012 | Published online 26th September, 2025
© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
This study explored African indigenous knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding reproductive health among women in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. Women’s sexual and reproductive health in many African indigenous communities, such as Allandale village, is an ongoing sensitive issue that is difficult to discuss in many contexts. As such, information, knowledge, and practices relating to women’s reproductive health are shrouded in obscurity through religion, tradition, and culture. The study argues that little or no logical information exists on women’s reproductive health written from an African Indigenous perspective. The study used the Afrocentricity theory to explore traditional medicine and its impact on rural women’s reproductive health. The study adopted the qualitative research design since it sought to understand the knowledge that was within Indigenous communities. The study findings provided a panoramic view of an exhaustive contextual analysis of reproductive health issues from an indigenous perspective. Most respondents perceived Indigenous knowledge practices as efficacious in the preventive, promotive, and curative aspects of reproductive health, with some key testimonials undergirding these views. The centrality of taboos, herbs, ceremonies, rituals, and observance of social norms demonstrated the vantage point that indigenous knowledge occupied as it straddled the physical, biological, social, and spiritual aspects of diagnoses, prognosis, treatment, promotion, and prevention of reproductive maladies that affected women. Based on the findings and conclusions, this study proposes the adoption of an African Indigenous Knowledge Framework on women’s reproductive health. The study advances culturally sensitive health interventions by revealing how spiritual and cultural beliefs influence decisions about reproductive health.
Keywords: Health Care System, Traditional Medicine, Indigenous Knowledge, Traditional Health Practitioners, Reproductive Health
Akoto, Dorothy Bea. “Hearing Scripture in African Contexts: A Hermeneutic of Grafting.” Old Testament Essays 20, no. 2 (2007): 283–306.
Andam, N. H. “An Exploration of the Holistic Development and Wellbeing of Children at Clouds of Hope Home KwaSani Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal ,” 2018.
Ashforth, Adam. Witchcraft, Violence, and Democracy in South Africa. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2005.
Atte, Oluwayomi David. “Indigenous Local Knowledge: The Key to Local-Level Development.,” 1992.
Baakeleng, Banabotlhe G., Abel J. Pienaar, Puledi M. Sithole, and Simangaliso L. Mashego. “Indigenous Practitioners’ Views on Causes of Female Infertility.” Health SA Gesondheid 28 (February 8, 2023). https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v28i0.2152.
Berg, Astrid. “Ancestor Reverence and Mental Health in South Africa.” Transcultural Psychiatry 40, no. 2 (2003): 194–207.
Chanza, Nelson, and Anton de Wit. “Rediscovering Indigenous Climate Knowledge for Better Responses to Climate Change: Insights from Muzarabani.” The International Journal of Climate Change: Impacts and Responses 6, no. 3–4 (2015): 19.
Dudgeon, Matthew R, and Marcia C Inhorn. “Men’s Influences on Women’s Reproductive Health: Medical Anthropological Perspectives.” Social Science & Medicine 59, no. 7 (2004): 1379–95.
Gyamerah, Kenneth. “The Role of African Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Pedagogies in Decolonizing and Transforming Mathematics and Science Learning in Ghana.” Queen’s University (Canada), 2024.
Kugara, Lee, S. “Witchcraft Belief and Criminal Responsibility: A Case Study of Selected Areas in South Africa and Zimbabwe.” University of Venda, 2017.
Kumar, Ranjit. “Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners,” 2018.
Lankshear, C. A Handbook for Teacher Research. New York: McGraw-Hill International, 2014.
Mararike, C G. “Killing in Pre-Colonial Shona Societies.” Unpublished Interview Held at the University of Zimbabwe on The 22 (2013).
Mawere, Munyaradzi. “Indigenous Knowledge Systems’(IKSs) Potential for Establishing a Moral, Virtuous Society: Lessons from Selected IKSs in Zimbabwe and Mozambique.” Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa 12, no. 7 (2010): 209–21.
Mbiti, J. S. Introduction to African Religion (Rev. Ed.). Botswana: Heineman Educational Publishers, 1991.
Mbiti, John. African Concept of God. London: SMC Press, 1970.
Mdhluli, O. “ An Exploration of Traditional Medicine into the Effects of Reproductive Health of Rural Women in Allandale Village, Mpumalanga Province,” 2019.
Mkhize, Jabulani. “Literary Prospects in’post-Apartheid’South Africa.” Alternation 8, no. 1 (2001): 170–87.
Mokgobi, M. G. “Views on Traditional Healing: Implications for Integration of Traditional Healing and Western Medicine in South Africa ,” 2012.
Mpofu, Elias, Karl Peltzer, and Olaniyi Bojuwoye. “Indigenous Healing Practices in Sub-Saharan Africa.” Counseling People of African Ancestry, 2011, 3–21.
Mulaudzi, Fhumulani M., and Raikane J. Seretlo. “General Conclusion.” In Working with Indigenous Knowledge: Strategies for Health Professionals, 213–15. AOSIS Books, 2022. https://doi.org/10.4102/aosis.2022.BK296.0c.
Noah, S.K., L. Musonda, and W. Wanga. “ Education for Sustainable Development: Integrating Indigenous Knowledge in Water Sanitation Programmes in Shikumi Community of Chibombo District in Zambia.” International Journal of Contemporary Applied Sciences 3, no. 1 (2016): 114–27.
Oguntibeju, Oluwafemi Omoniyi. “Hypoglycaemic and Anti-Diabetic Activity of Selected African Medicinal Plants.” International Journal of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology 11, no. 6 (2019): 224.
Parrotta, John, Youn Yeo-Chang, and Leni D Camacho. “Traditional Knowledge for Sustainable Forest Management and Provision of Ecosystem Services.” International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services & Management. Taylor & Francis, 2016.
Patel, Vikram, Betty R. Kirkwood, Sulochana Pednekar, Bernadette Pereira, Preetam Barros, Janice Fernandes, Jane Datta, Reshma Pai, Helen Weiss, and David Mabey. “Gender Disadvantage and Reproductive Health Risk Factors for Common Mental Disorders in Women.” Archives of General Psychiatry 63, no. 4 (April 1, 2006): 404. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.63.4.404.
Rahman, Mohd Nizam Ab, Jaharah A Ghani, Ahmad Rasdan Ismail, and Rosmaizura Mohd Zain. “Engineering Students towards Entrepreneurship Awareness.” International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting, Finance and Management Sciences 2, no. 4 (2012): 272–82.
Rashid, T. Contested Representation: Punjabi Women in Feminist Debate in Pakistan. Karachi: Oxford University Press, 2012.
Richter, Marlise. “Traditional Medicines and Traditional Healers in South Africa.” Treatment Action Campaign and AIDS Law Project 17 (2003): 4–29.
Shank, G. Qualitative Research: A Personal Skills Approach. New Jersey: Merril Prentice Hall, 2002.
Sobiecki, J. “The Intersection of Culture and Science in South African Traditional Medicine.” Indo-Pacific Journal of Phenomenology 14, no. 1 (2014).
Steyn, M, and A Muller. “Traditional Healers and Cancer Prevention.”Curationis 23,no.3(2000):4–11.
Tesfaye, Biniam, and Bahilu Bezabih. “Indigenous Knowledge and Factors Related to Practices of Forest Conservation among Forest Dependent Communities in the Tocha District Southern Ethiopia.” Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 6, no. 1 (2017): 6–19.
Triebel, Johannes. “Living Together with the Ancestors: Ancestor Veneration in Africa as a Challenge for Missiology.” Missiology 30, no. 2 (2002): 187–97.
Uddin, Emaj. “Cross-Cultural Age Ascription between Muslim and Santal Communities in Rural Bangladesh.” World Cultures EJournal 17, no. 2 (2010).
Vorobiof, Daniel A, Freddy Sitas, and Gabriel Vorobiof. “Breast Cancer Incidence in South Africa.” Journal of Clinical Oncology 19, no. 18; SUPP (2001): 125s-125s.
World Health Organisation. Investigating Mental Health. Department of Mental Health and Substance Department. Geneva: World Health Organisation, 2008.
Zwane, Duduzile. “‘Our Beauty Is in Our Breasts’: A Culture-Centered Approach to Understanding Cancer Perceptions in Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa.” Qualitative Health Research 31, no. 1 (2021): 148–59.
Dr. Mdhluli Ophilile is a Post Doctoral Fellow at the University of Fort Hare in the Department of Politics and Philosophy. She holds PhD in African Studies from the University of Venda, Master of Arts in African Studies, an Honors degree in Gender Studies, Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Post Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of Limpopo. Dr Ophilile Mdhluli is committed in academic excellence and transformative African scholarship, she brings a solid foundation in African Studies, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, and Higher Education. As an interdisciplinary, intra-disciplinary, and multidisciplinary author, her academic publications span diverse areas including Identity, Citizenship, Conflicts in Africa, traditional leadership and politics, African traditional health and beliefs, knowledge management, conflict management, cultural astronomy, human rights, indigenous customary law, poverty and development studies, African and cultural philosophy, heritage studies, and medical anthropology. With a PhD in African Studies and a solid foundation in research, mentoring, and community engagement, she is driven to contribute meaningfully to knowledge production, decolonial thought, and the advancement of African-centred perspectives.
Professor Rendani Tshifhumulo is the Head of the Department of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Venda. With over 24 years of experience in university teaching, she has established a distinguished career as a sociologist. She holds a PhD from the University of Venda, an MA from the University of Pretoria, and a Postgraduate Diploma from Rhodes University. Professor Tshifhumulo has published more than 46 articles in peer-reviewed, accredited journals, as well as 11 book chapters, focusing on topics such as domestic violence, culture, and contemporary social issues. She is the author of two books, with two more on the pipeline, and has edited a special issue. Her first book, “A Handbook of Research in Managing and Protecting Indigenous Knowledge Systems,” was published by IGI Global Publishers. Additionally, she has supervised over 40 Honours, Master’s, and PhD students to completion. Prof Tshifhumulo is passionate about community engagement and actively works on various projects to support school learners. She is a member of the South African Sociological Association (SASA) and participates in various university committees, including the Faculty Higher Degree Committee, the Research Ethics Social Science Committee, and the Senate.
Adv. Prof. Pfarelo Matshidze is the Deputy Dean of teaching and learning at the Faculty of Humanities Social Sciences and Education at the University of Venda. She holds a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Zululand and a Masters in Law from the University of South Africa. Her specialty is in Anthropology, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, and Indigenous Law. For many years she worked as a lecturer, at the interface between the university and the community, exploring community engagement. Adv. Prof. Matshidze is involved in several multi-pronged projects in which students and staff members in different disciplines engage with communities to improve their quality of life. Among other things, she was instrumental in the development of the Bachelor of Indigenous Knowledge Systems curriculum. Her publications are multidisciplinary. Her teaching career includes teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate students and she has supervised several Masters and PhD students. She has conducted research and community engagements on human and social sciences-related issues (including but not limited to Anthropology and Law).
Ophilile, Mdhluli, Rendani Tshifhumulo and Pfarelo Eva Matshidze.“ The Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices of Allandale Village Regarding Women’s Reproductive Health: A Community-Based Study,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 6, no. 10 (2025): 2400 – 2411, https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.202561012
© 2025 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
