The Haya Ethic Community Understanding of Healing: Christal-Societal Perspectives

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Published Jul 21, 2025
https://doi.org/10.71064/spu.amjr.10.1.2025.395
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Vol. 10 No. 1 (2025): African Multidisciplinary Journal of Research

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Simon Jackson Buberwa
St. Paul's University
John Njoroge
St. Paul's University

Abstract

This article explores the concept of healing among the Haya people of northwestern Tanzania by analyzing how traditional beliefs and Christianity have historically intersected and evolved. Drawing on a library-based qualitative research approach, the study examines existing ethnographic literature, theological texts, historical accounts, and scholarly analyses to understand how healing is conceptualized within Haya society. In this context, healing is viewed holistically, encompassing physical recovery and emotional, spiritual, and communal well-being. The research investigates the historical foundations of indigenous healing practices such as the invocation of ancestral spirits, the use of herbal medicine, and ritual-based therapies alongside the transformative influence of Christianity introduced during the colonial period. By synthesizing insights from secondary sources, the study reveals a dynamic and hybrid healing model in which prayer, faith-based interventions, and biomedical practices coexist with traditional methods. Despite occasional theological and cultural tensions, many Haya individuals continue to navigate both healing paradigms pragmatically, drawing on their respective strengths to promote personal and communal wellness. This study contributes to broader conversations on religion, culture, and health in Africa, offering valuable perspectives for health professionals, theologians, and policymakers seeking to engage with contextually grounded and culturally sensitive approaches to healing.

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How to Cite
Jackson Buberwa, S. ., & Njoroge , J. (2025). The Haya Ethic Community Understanding of Healing: Christal-Societal Perspectives. African Multidisciplinary Journal of Research, 10(1), 222–244. https://doi.org/10.71064/spu.amjr.10.1.2025.395

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