Curriculum guidelines for African male rite of passage in healthcare

Abstract

African male rite of passage has been practiced by indigenous African communities for periods dating back many centuries and generations for the purpose of transferring knowledge from generation to generation. However the reductionist western perspective equates the process of African male rite of passage to a surgical procedure of circumcision therefore stripping it of its educational role. An exploratory descriptive qualitative research was therefore undertaken through the use of makgotla as a research method, to explore and describe the educational aspects of male rite of passage and to deduce curriculum guidelines for male rite of passage in healthcare in order to promote the co-existence of African indigenous knowledge system and the western health system through these guidelines. Recommendations have been made at the end of the study to preserve and encourage a safe lebollo practice.