INTERVIEWS IN CROSS-CULTURAL RESEARCH: WORKING WITH THE CUSTODIANS OF TRADITIONAL HEALTH PRACTICE AS RESEARCHERS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Traditional health practice (THP) represents one of the lesser-researched and lesser-understood fields, although one that has been practised for centuries. Conducting research in this field requires the research community to devise innovative ways of studying and learning from it. A qualitative research methodology was employed to gain access in the THP field. The study was conducted at three sites in Gauteng and two sites in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. In-depth individual interviews were facilitated in local languages by traditional health practitioners who were trained as interviewers. As a result, authentic data were gathered and analysed. The results of the study indicate that emic knowledge, understanding and interpretations can be elicited with appropriate research methodology, especially when the custodians of traditional and cultural practices are included as part of the research team.