The healer's art : Cape Nguni diviners in the townships of Grahamstown
- Authors: Hirst, Manton Myatt
- Date: 1991
- Subjects: Healers -- South Africa , Nguni (African people) -- Social life and customs , Divination -- South Africa , Medicine, Magic, mystic, and spagiric -- South Africa , Nguni (African people) -- Religion
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2084 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001601
- Description: This is a study of Cape Nguni diviners practising in the townships of Grahamstown where, during the 1970s, there was a large and active concentration of diviners treating clients from the locality, the rural areas and even the large urban centres further afield. The study situates local diviners in the socio-economic, cultural and religious context of contemporary township Iife during the 1970s (see chapter 1 and section 2.1). The personalities and socio-economic circumstances of diviners (and herbalists) are described as well as their case-loads, the various problems they treat, the relations between them and their clients, the economics of healing and the ethics pertaining to the profession (see chapter 2) . Chapter three focuses on the various problems and afflictions - which are largely of an interpersonal nature - suffered by those who are eventually inducted as diviners and the ritual therapy this necessarily entails. Here we see how the diviner, what Lewis (1971) terms a 'wounded healer', becomes an expert in interpersonal and social relations as a result of suffering problems - largely connected to the family but not necessarily limited to it - in interpersonal relations and that require a ritual, and thus social, prophylaxis. The main theoretical argument is that the diviner, qua healer, functions as a hybrid of Levi-Strauss' s bricoleur and Castaneda's 'man of knowledge' artfully combining the ability of the former to invert, mirror or utilise analogies from linguistics to make everything meaningful and the ability of the latter to creatively bend reality . The diviner's cosmology is described in terms of a 'handy', limited but extensive cultural code/repertoire of signs, symbols and metaphors that is utilised in getting the message across to others and in which animals bear the main symbolic load (see chapter 4). This leads logically to a reappraisal of Hammond-Tooke's (1975b) well-known model of Cape Nguni symbolic structure particularly in so far as it pertains to the way in which diviners classify animals, both wild and domestic (see section 4.6). A striking evocation and confirmation of the view argued here, namely of the diviner as bricoleur/'man of knowledge', is contained in chapter five dealing with an analysis of the diviner's 'river' myth and the context, form and content of the divinatory consultation itself. Finally, the conclusions, arising out of this study of contemporary Cape Nguni diviners in town, are evaluated in the ligrht of Lewis's (1966, 1971, 1986) deprivation hypothesis of spirit possession (see chapter 6)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1991
- Authors: Hirst, Manton Myatt
- Date: 1991
- Subjects: Healers -- South Africa , Nguni (African people) -- Social life and customs , Divination -- South Africa , Medicine, Magic, mystic, and spagiric -- South Africa , Nguni (African people) -- Religion
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2084 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001601
- Description: This is a study of Cape Nguni diviners practising in the townships of Grahamstown where, during the 1970s, there was a large and active concentration of diviners treating clients from the locality, the rural areas and even the large urban centres further afield. The study situates local diviners in the socio-economic, cultural and religious context of contemporary township Iife during the 1970s (see chapter 1 and section 2.1). The personalities and socio-economic circumstances of diviners (and herbalists) are described as well as their case-loads, the various problems they treat, the relations between them and their clients, the economics of healing and the ethics pertaining to the profession (see chapter 2) . Chapter three focuses on the various problems and afflictions - which are largely of an interpersonal nature - suffered by those who are eventually inducted as diviners and the ritual therapy this necessarily entails. Here we see how the diviner, what Lewis (1971) terms a 'wounded healer', becomes an expert in interpersonal and social relations as a result of suffering problems - largely connected to the family but not necessarily limited to it - in interpersonal relations and that require a ritual, and thus social, prophylaxis. The main theoretical argument is that the diviner, qua healer, functions as a hybrid of Levi-Strauss' s bricoleur and Castaneda's 'man of knowledge' artfully combining the ability of the former to invert, mirror or utilise analogies from linguistics to make everything meaningful and the ability of the latter to creatively bend reality . The diviner's cosmology is described in terms of a 'handy', limited but extensive cultural code/repertoire of signs, symbols and metaphors that is utilised in getting the message across to others and in which animals bear the main symbolic load (see chapter 4). This leads logically to a reappraisal of Hammond-Tooke's (1975b) well-known model of Cape Nguni symbolic structure particularly in so far as it pertains to the way in which diviners classify animals, both wild and domestic (see section 4.6). A striking evocation and confirmation of the view argued here, namely of the diviner as bricoleur/'man of knowledge', is contained in chapter five dealing with an analysis of the diviner's 'river' myth and the context, form and content of the divinatory consultation itself. Finally, the conclusions, arising out of this study of contemporary Cape Nguni diviners in town, are evaluated in the ligrht of Lewis's (1966, 1971, 1986) deprivation hypothesis of spirit possession (see chapter 6)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1991
The development of athletics in South Africa: 1814 to 1914
- Authors: Coghlan, Douglas Victor
- Date: 1987
- Subjects: Athletics -- South Africa -- History
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60785 , vital:27830
- Description: The purpose of this study was to record the development of athletics in South Africa from 1814 to 1914. This period was chosen because sport and athletics originated and developed a social institution during that time and the First World brought progress to a temporary halt, after which there were many new developments. The Cape Colony became British in 1814, and it was British influence that played such a dominant role in the social history of the period.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1987
- Authors: Coghlan, Douglas Victor
- Date: 1987
- Subjects: Athletics -- South Africa -- History
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60785 , vital:27830
- Description: The purpose of this study was to record the development of athletics in South Africa from 1814 to 1914. This period was chosen because sport and athletics originated and developed a social institution during that time and the First World brought progress to a temporary halt, after which there were many new developments. The Cape Colony became British in 1814, and it was British influence that played such a dominant role in the social history of the period.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1987
The biology of Clarias Gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) in Lake Sibaya, Kwazulu, with emphasis on its role as a predator
- Authors: Bruton, Michael N
- Date: 1977
- Subjects: Catfishes -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal -- Lake Sibaya. , Clarias , Clariidae
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5886 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013313
- Description: Aspects of the biology of the sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) were studied in a clear coastal lake (Lake Sibaya, KwaZulu.). Catfish reach maturity towards the end of the first year (total length 200-250mm) and breed in summer. Gonadal maturation is cyclical, and most fishes are ripe between September. and January e ach year. Maturation stages and fecundity are described. Twenty-two catfish spawning runs were witnessed. There were no large aggregations of catfish before the Summer rains, as reported in some impoundments and rivers, but catfish accumulated on the shallow terrace immediately before a spawning run. Spawning usually took place in flooded marginal areas after heavy rain on dark calm nights. Peak activity occurred between 20h00 and 02h30. Pre-nuptial aggression, courtship and mating are described and illustrated in detail for the first time from field observations. Gonadal products are released while in amplexus and fertilized externally. The eggs have an adhesive disc for attachment to plants, and develop rapidly. Early development and feeding are described. The growth rate of catfish was determined using rings on the pectoral spines, and validated using recent techniques. C.gariepinus in Lake Sibaya grow rapidly and remain in good condition to a length of 500mm, but larger catfish have a poor growth rate and condition, and few exceed 650mm. The modal length and weight of the Sibaya population is intermediate between that of other populations but the number and condition of larger catfish in Lake Sibaya is lower. Other studies on C.gariepinus growth are reviewed. Very high and low first year increments obtained previously may be due to methodological errors, but catfish do appear to have variable growth rates. The size reached by C.gariepinus is reviewed. Catfish are equipped morphologically and behaviourally to feed on a wide variety of·prey in different situations, but they usually feed at night on exposed, active benthic organisms. Social hunting facilitates the capture of prey which is too fast or manoevrable for a single predator. Food preferences are scored by three different methods and presented for the total catfish population and for different length groups, seasons, and habitats. Juveniles feed more often and on a greater variety of prey, and their condition is better than that of adults. The proportions of several food items in the diet changed at different lake levels as marginal areas became inundated. In particular, increasing lake levels resulted in a change in relative density of three cichlid prey in the shallow water feeding area of catfish. This situation provided the opportunity to study the effect of changing cichlid density on predation by catfish. The world literature on factors influencing the predator-prey relationship in fish is reviewed and several key factors are identified. The interaction of fish predators and prey in Africa, and particularly Lake Sibaya, is examined in detail, and prey density, modified by accessibility, is found to be an important factor. The effect of cichlid prey density on catfish predation was therefore investigated using field collections and experimental observations. Catfish prey on the cichlid species with greatest relative abundance, with some deviations which can be explained in terms of accessibility. The experimental results also describe feeding periodicity, imitative hunting and the effect of water depth , day-night light intensity changes and predator number on predation efficiency on cichlids. Catfish predation is discussed in terms of recent predation theory, and it is concluded that their ability to switch from one prey to another as prey availability (= density+ accessibility) changes , is an an important aspect of their success as predators. Catfish predate more efficiently on invertebrates, but feed largely on fishes after the first year. This preference for fish prey is probably related to food quality, as fishes contributed over 75% of the energy content of all ingested food, as well as abundant protein and the correct amino acid balance. Finally, I conclude that the role of C.gariepinus as a predator on S.mossambicus is three-fold: (a) to enhance species' fitness by removing enfeebled individuals i.e. to act as a 'cleanser' (b) to restrict the distribution of prey under certain conditions i.e. act as a 'restricter' (c) to dampen fluctuations in cichlid abundance i.e. act as a 'regulator'. The relative importance of these roles may alter at different lake levels in Lake Sibaya in response to changes in the vulnerability of fish prey.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1977
- Authors: Bruton, Michael N
- Date: 1977
- Subjects: Catfishes -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal -- Lake Sibaya. , Clarias , Clariidae
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5886 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013313
- Description: Aspects of the biology of the sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) were studied in a clear coastal lake (Lake Sibaya, KwaZulu.). Catfish reach maturity towards the end of the first year (total length 200-250mm) and breed in summer. Gonadal maturation is cyclical, and most fishes are ripe between September. and January e ach year. Maturation stages and fecundity are described. Twenty-two catfish spawning runs were witnessed. There were no large aggregations of catfish before the Summer rains, as reported in some impoundments and rivers, but catfish accumulated on the shallow terrace immediately before a spawning run. Spawning usually took place in flooded marginal areas after heavy rain on dark calm nights. Peak activity occurred between 20h00 and 02h30. Pre-nuptial aggression, courtship and mating are described and illustrated in detail for the first time from field observations. Gonadal products are released while in amplexus and fertilized externally. The eggs have an adhesive disc for attachment to plants, and develop rapidly. Early development and feeding are described. The growth rate of catfish was determined using rings on the pectoral spines, and validated using recent techniques. C.gariepinus in Lake Sibaya grow rapidly and remain in good condition to a length of 500mm, but larger catfish have a poor growth rate and condition, and few exceed 650mm. The modal length and weight of the Sibaya population is intermediate between that of other populations but the number and condition of larger catfish in Lake Sibaya is lower. Other studies on C.gariepinus growth are reviewed. Very high and low first year increments obtained previously may be due to methodological errors, but catfish do appear to have variable growth rates. The size reached by C.gariepinus is reviewed. Catfish are equipped morphologically and behaviourally to feed on a wide variety of·prey in different situations, but they usually feed at night on exposed, active benthic organisms. Social hunting facilitates the capture of prey which is too fast or manoevrable for a single predator. Food preferences are scored by three different methods and presented for the total catfish population and for different length groups, seasons, and habitats. Juveniles feed more often and on a greater variety of prey, and their condition is better than that of adults. The proportions of several food items in the diet changed at different lake levels as marginal areas became inundated. In particular, increasing lake levels resulted in a change in relative density of three cichlid prey in the shallow water feeding area of catfish. This situation provided the opportunity to study the effect of changing cichlid density on predation by catfish. The world literature on factors influencing the predator-prey relationship in fish is reviewed and several key factors are identified. The interaction of fish predators and prey in Africa, and particularly Lake Sibaya, is examined in detail, and prey density, modified by accessibility, is found to be an important factor. The effect of cichlid prey density on catfish predation was therefore investigated using field collections and experimental observations. Catfish prey on the cichlid species with greatest relative abundance, with some deviations which can be explained in terms of accessibility. The experimental results also describe feeding periodicity, imitative hunting and the effect of water depth , day-night light intensity changes and predator number on predation efficiency on cichlids. Catfish predation is discussed in terms of recent predation theory, and it is concluded that their ability to switch from one prey to another as prey availability (= density+ accessibility) changes , is an an important aspect of their success as predators. Catfish predate more efficiently on invertebrates, but feed largely on fishes after the first year. This preference for fish prey is probably related to food quality, as fishes contributed over 75% of the energy content of all ingested food, as well as abundant protein and the correct amino acid balance. Finally, I conclude that the role of C.gariepinus as a predator on S.mossambicus is three-fold: (a) to enhance species' fitness by removing enfeebled individuals i.e. to act as a 'cleanser' (b) to restrict the distribution of prey under certain conditions i.e. act as a 'restricter' (c) to dampen fluctuations in cichlid abundance i.e. act as a 'regulator'. The relative importance of these roles may alter at different lake levels in Lake Sibaya in response to changes in the vulnerability of fish prey.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1977
The chemistry of the wattle tannins
- Authors: Roux, David Gerhardus
- Date: 1953
- Subjects: Tannin plants , Tannins , Wattles (Plants)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4492 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013098
- Description: Four species of acacia of Auatralian origin are associated with the wattle industry in South Africa. Black wattle, Acacia mollissima willd., is the most important of these and is today almost exclusively cultivated. The tree grows successfully only in a limited area of rich soil and high rainfall and is easily affected by adverse conditions caused by insect pests, frost damage and drought. Expansion of the area under cultivation is therefore, not feasible, although the world demand for vegetable extracts far exceeds the available supply. The remaining species such as green (Acacia decurrrens willd.) and silver wattles (Acacia dealbata Link.) possess many desirable characteristics which resist such adverse factors. Their barks, however, give reddish extracts, which are considered unsuitable for tannery usage because of the red colour they impart to the leather. Hybridisation studies, involving the crossing of green and silver wattle with the black, and aimed at produc1ng progenies containing many of the desirable characterlstics of the parent plants, are thus a natural result and have been in progress for a considerable period. Summary, p. i.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1953
- Authors: Roux, David Gerhardus
- Date: 1953
- Subjects: Tannin plants , Tannins , Wattles (Plants)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4492 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013098
- Description: Four species of acacia of Auatralian origin are associated with the wattle industry in South Africa. Black wattle, Acacia mollissima willd., is the most important of these and is today almost exclusively cultivated. The tree grows successfully only in a limited area of rich soil and high rainfall and is easily affected by adverse conditions caused by insect pests, frost damage and drought. Expansion of the area under cultivation is therefore, not feasible, although the world demand for vegetable extracts far exceeds the available supply. The remaining species such as green (Acacia decurrrens willd.) and silver wattles (Acacia dealbata Link.) possess many desirable characteristics which resist such adverse factors. Their barks, however, give reddish extracts, which are considered unsuitable for tannery usage because of the red colour they impart to the leather. Hybridisation studies, involving the crossing of green and silver wattle with the black, and aimed at produc1ng progenies containing many of the desirable characterlstics of the parent plants, are thus a natural result and have been in progress for a considerable period. Summary, p. i.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1953