RT Article
T1 African Beliefs Concerning People with Disabilities: Implications for Theological Education
JF Journal of disability & religion
VO 20
IS 1/2
SP 29
OP 39
A1 Ndlovu, Hebron L.
LA English
YR 2016
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1572016221
AB This article describes the position and teachings of indigenous African beliefs concerning people with disabilities in contemporary African society. It examines explicit and implicit African attitudes and teachings pertaining to disability. The article also considers the implications of these African beliefs for theological education. Drawing largely on documented indigenous African beliefs from selected African cultures, and from Swaziland in particular, the contention of the article is that the position and teachings of indigenous African beliefs concerning people with disabilities is ambivalent: on one hand, some African beliefs promote the stigmatization and marginalization of people with disabilities through exclusion and depiction of them as objects of pity or ridicule, and as victims of evil forces; alternatively, other African beliefs inculcate positive and empathetic moral and ethical teaching aimed at protecting and empowering those living with disabilities by depicting them as full human beings who have the same rights, obligations, and responsibilities as "normal" persons.
K1 Religion
K1 Disability
K1 Disability Studies
K1 Healing
K1 Social Inclusion
K1 affliction
K1 African beliefs
K1 rights of people with disabilities
K1 the ancestors
K1 theology of disability
K1 ubuntu/buntfu/botho
K1 Witchcraft
DO 10.1080/23312521.2016.1152942