Perspective on African Spirituality and Healing Practices

Indigenous cultures have been practicing ancient ways of healing used to administer various treatments. In the western society, healing is often considered to be a private matter between patient and/or client and therapist.

In African healing it is an integral part of the society and religion is a matter in which the entire community is involved. To understand African spirituality and healing, an individual must understand African thought, customs and social traditions.

Since Africa contains a broad ranges of culture and is as diverse in their specific ceremonies spirituality of the world. They share common belief, perception of life and death as most Christian community view concept of life.

African concepts of health and healing, like those of life and death are
intertwined. Health is not an isolated phenomenon but reflects the communal involvement. It is a sign the individual is living in harmony and peacefully in society.

Native doctors or healers are often called to treat a variety of ailments, & psychiatric disorders from schizophrenia to neurotic syndrome, etc. Some people with illness are treated through the powerful of the Holy Spirit, prayers, visions as well as using the African native herbal medicinal.

The native doctor or healer makes a diagnosis much as a western psychoanalyst does through the analysis of dreams, projective techniques, trances and hypnotic states and potent powerful wisdom words. With such methods, the healer defines the psychodynamics of the individual or patients to gain insight into the life history of the sick person. Most African Christians have for many decades established unique and vibrant ways of spiritual renewal. The format of worship includes songs of praise, prayer and chanting, drumming, dancing and testimonial. The strong emphasis is placed upon both the ancient Judaic and Christian healing ritual and ceremonies.

Many people have been healed from a variety of health related issues and life challenges- mental, emotional stress, physical, etc.- by the Holy Spirit and Christ healing experience.

The incantations are used to gain insight to a person’s crisis. The main therapeutic value bring us unconscious motives and reveal unknown desire (fear, anxiety)explicitly. From an African traditional perspective, once the immediate and remote causes of illness are established, the diagnosis is final and the healer decides on the course of therapy, rituals or healing modalities. Usually this involves everyone participation in the treatment.

The ritual involves the healer, the individual client, and the extended family at large. The group rituals include a multi faceted poly-rhythmic drumming, singing, dances, testimonials, trances, story telling, and testimonials. That follows a powerful therapeutic experiences for the individual. They release tensions, stress, and pressure or any inhibitions or blockages to promote positive psyche including mental, physical, emotional health of the individuals or group community. Group rituals are effective because the basis of African social life, as well as spirituality and mysticism are an integral part of lifestyle. In many of our indigenous society, a formal group healing are available for the mental ill and others.

For instance, when someone falls ill, the entire family and community attends to his well-being. [In indigenous society a formal and informal group healing usually takes the forms of ritual and ceremonies.] Africans place the sick person in a social and spiritual context with emphasis on the belief system, family, workplace, and environment. The important aspects of health and healing in the African social context gives the individual meaningful coherence and a healthy approach towards transformation. The individuals may not get well without the extended family, relatives, co-workers and friends. [At this point you can achieve a good sense of clarity, focus, heightened states of serenity with deeper sense of self-realization and connectivity. Your sensory perceptions are elevated, spiritual freedom, which makes a continuity of life existence including sharing, love, kindness, laughter and tolerance towards one another.]

Healing the suffering of Life,
Revealing the miracles of God.

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