The transformative journey of Ukuthwasa: Exploring the process of Ukuthwasa and its impact on the lives, identities and careers of young women

Abstract

Ukuthwasa is a profound journey rooted in African cultures and represents a deeply rooted cultural and spiritual practice for people called to be traditional healers. This ethnographic study explored the experiences of young women who have undergone ukuthwasa and how they navigate their ancestral dependencies in relation to their everyday lives. The study also explored how these young women embrace their spirituality and how this process contributes to the broader decolonial project of reclaiming African spirituality. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 young women who had undergone ukuthwasa, and they were recruited through the snowballing method. The data was recorded and manually transcribed and analysed through thematic analysis. The study was guided by the ritual theory and the concept of the rite of passage and used these two theories to contextualise the study. The findings of this study demonstrate that the journey of ukuthwasa is more than just a “fashion trend”; it is a deeply rooted journey that transforms individuals' lives from their identity, choices, and beliefs to their modes of practice. The findings also show how ukuthwasa impacts the lives of young women and how they navigate their calling demands within their contemporary lives.