African Wisdom Traditions and Healing Practices: Performing the Embodied, Contemplative, and Group-based Elements of African Cosmology, Orality, and Arts Modalities
Keywords:
African contemplative practices, African wisdom traditions, embodied and communal rituals, healing and wellbeing, creative arts therapiesArticle Information
Creative Arts Educ Ther (2023) 9(2):151–163 DOI: 10.15212/CAET/2023/9/14
African Wisdom Traditions and Healing Practices: Performing the Embodied, Contemplative, and Group-based Elements of African Cosmology, Orality, and Arts Modalities
Abstract
This study on African wisdom traditions and their healing practices, as conducted through embodied modalities and in community settings, addresses a gap in mainstream discourse centered on Eastern meditation practices and Western cognitive therapeutic practices. During a research retreat in South Africa, traditional healers, creative arts therapists, and performers were invited to facilitate indigenous contemplative rituals and arts-based healing practices. The study intended to classify selected Southern African practices and question how they contribute to healing trauma, supporting well-being and enabling human flourishing. This article presents a definition, brief history, and the performed elements of five healing practices: Umphahlo, Umgidi Wokulingisa, Isicathamiya, Iintsomi, and Djembe drumming.
Keywords: African contemplative practices, African wisdom traditions, embodied and communal rituals, healing and wellbeing, creative arts therapies
摘要
本研究通过具身方式和社区环境中进行的非洲智慧传统及其疗愈实践，填补了以东方冥想实践和西方认知治疗实践为中心的主流话语中的空白。在南非的一次研究进修营期间，传统疗愈师、创造性艺术治疗师和表演者受邀促进土著沉思仪式和基于艺术的疗愈实践。该研究旨在对选定的南部非洲实践进行分类，并质疑它们如何有助于治愈创伤、支持幸福和促进人类繁荣。本文介绍了五种疗愈实践的定义、简史和表现元素：Umphahlo、Umgidi Wokulingisa、Isicathamiya、Iintsomi 和 Djembe 鼓乐。
关键词： 非洲沉思实践, 非洲智慧传统, 具身仪式和公共仪式, 疗愈和幸福, 创造性艺术治疗
