Keeping God's Covenant:Kuuchika:Indeginising procreation for enhanced conception, lineage and population continuity among the Shona people in Zimbabwe.
1
Education and Policy Studies, Zimbabwe Open University, Gweru, Zimbabwe
2
Senior Management (School Head teacher), Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Gweru, Zimbabwe
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
In Genesis 1:28 God commands Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it.This underscores procreation as integral to humanity's purpose under God.This study explores the significance of kuuchika-a cultural and spiritual practice that entwines traditional medicine and spiritual faith to enhance reproductive fertility to both men and women. Kuuchika is deeply rooted in Shona culture and tradition emphasising community and family resilience to procreation and reproductive health.
METHODS:
The study employed a qualitative approach using guided interviews among individuals or couples who experienced infertility and got reprieve from traditional practices.The study also interviewed traditional health practitioners known as n'anga or godobori in the Shona culture on their experiences on using traditional medicine to enhance fertility. On one hand,purposive sampling was used to select n'anga or godobori known for their resilience in kuuchika while on the other hand snowball sampling was used to network the beneficiaries of kuuchika to gather their trials and breakthrough journey on child bearing through kuuchika.
RESULTS:
The findings suggest that kuuchika plays an important part in promoting procreation,fertility,conception and lineage continuity to both men and women while emphasising on family planning as crucial part of reproductive health. The results also show that both men and women inclusively seek traditional medicines for increased libido and sexual pleasure.
CONCLUSIONS:
The study concludes that kuuchika, an indeginise and traditional health practice plays a significant role that can inform modern approaches to fertility,family planning and lineage continuity while preserving Shona cultural heritage.The study also concludes that promoting a holistic understanding of kuuchika can help individuals and communities promote equity,inclusion and sustainability in procreation. The standpoint of traditional medicines has remained that of equity, inclusivity and sustainability. Furthermore, the study concludes that kuuchika is still limited to spiritual leaders impacting on traditional heritage sovereignty to future generations.
In Genesis 1:28 God commands Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it.This underscores procreation as integral to humanity's purpose under God.This study explores the significance of kuuchika-a cultural and spiritual practice that entwines traditional medicine and spiritual faith to enhance reproductive fertility to both men and women. Kuuchika is deeply rooted in Shona culture and tradition emphasising community and family resilience to procreation and reproductive health.
METHODS:
The study employed a qualitative approach using guided interviews among individuals or couples who experienced infertility and got reprieve from traditional practices.The study also interviewed traditional health practitioners known as n'anga or godobori in the Shona culture on their experiences on using traditional medicine to enhance fertility. On one hand,purposive sampling was used to select n'anga or godobori known for their resilience in kuuchika while on the other hand snowball sampling was used to network the beneficiaries of kuuchika to gather their trials and breakthrough journey on child bearing through kuuchika.
RESULTS:
The findings suggest that kuuchika plays an important part in promoting procreation,fertility,conception and lineage continuity to both men and women while emphasising on family planning as crucial part of reproductive health. The results also show that both men and women inclusively seek traditional medicines for increased libido and sexual pleasure.
CONCLUSIONS:
The study concludes that kuuchika, an indeginise and traditional health practice plays a significant role that can inform modern approaches to fertility,family planning and lineage continuity while preserving Shona cultural heritage.The study also concludes that promoting a holistic understanding of kuuchika can help individuals and communities promote equity,inclusion and sustainability in procreation. The standpoint of traditional medicines has remained that of equity, inclusivity and sustainability. Furthermore, the study concludes that kuuchika is still limited to spiritual leaders impacting on traditional heritage sovereignty to future generations.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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