Traditional beliefs and practices surrounding pregnancy loss in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Michael Galvin, Lezanie Coetzee, Patricia Leshabana, Nthabiseng Masebe, Shitshembiso Lebepe, Aneesa Moolla, Amanda R. Tarullo, Peter C. Rockers and Denise Evans

Social Science & Medicine, 2025, vol. 383, issue C

Abstract: South Africa has a diversity of traditional beliefs and practices within its existing sub-cultures which include complex belief patterns around women's sexual and reproductive health, including pregnancy loss (i.e. abortion or miscarriage). Causes of pregnancy loss among the different cultures can be attributed broadly to ancestors, bewitchment, and ritual pollution. However, of these factors, ritual pollution has not been adequately researched. This study sought to examine current beliefs and practices surrounding a traditional illness called Go wela in Limpopo, South Africa. A total of 95 participants were recruited and interviewed. Audio-recordings were transcribed verbatim, translated into English, and then thematically analysed. Go wela is an illness that men receive from sexual intercourse with a woman who is “unclean” after a pregnancy loss. It was recommended that treatment of Go wela must happen with the aid of a traditional healer relatively quickly after the man is impacted, otherwise the condition could be fatal. Traditional illnesses are perceived as spiritual or cultural afflictions requiring interventions beyond biomedical care, emphasizing the interplay between cultural practices, spirituality, and maternal health. Illnesses such as Go wela have a significant impact on individuals in the way they conceive disease and health and consequently seek care. As very little research has examined these questions, more studies are needed to examine how ritual pollution-related illnesses impact public health for individuals and their communities.

Keywords: South Africa; Traditional medicine; Traditional illness; Pregnancy loss; Limpopo; Go wela (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118511

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