To Be Clogged Up by an Impure Woman: A Male Malady among the North Sotho

bibliographic database
Line

Periodical article

Title:	To Be Clogged Up by an Impure Woman: A Male Malady among the North Sotho
Authors:	Kriel, J.D. Mapogole, Molebatsi M.
Year:	1998
Periodical:	South African Journal of Ethnology
Volume:	21
Issue:	4
Pages:	181-184
Language:	English
Geographic term:	South Africa
Subjects:	Sotho popular beliefs AIDS Health and Nutrition Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
Abstract:	This article focuses on illnesses which result from the transgression of taboos associated with ritual impurity or pollution. It is based on research conducted in the 1980s among the North Sotho (Northern Province, South Africa). Most of the research findings have been reassessed since 1990. In the case of this article, which focuses on the disease known as 'lekhutlo', a reassessment and verification was done in 1997. 'Lekhutlo' is one of the diseases that are attributed to (sexual) relations with polluted women. The article describes the symptoms of this disease and its treatment. It also examines beliefs with regard to ritual impurity. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. in Afrikaans and English.