SOCI 422 ARTICLE FOR EXAMS REVIEWED-ARTICLE FOR LECTURE 7

LECTURE 7

LECTURE TOPIC: The Anthropology of Disability

AUTHOR: ABUDU, KENNETH UYI

ARTICLE TITLE: Color Specifications and Review of Disability Studies

ARTICLE'S MAIN THEME: The main theme of the article is exploring the positive and negative impacts of deeply entrenched cultural understandings of disability in sub-Saharan Africa. It examines how these cultural notions of disability shape the lived experiences of persons with disabilities in African societies.

The article argues that while modern scientific explanations for disabilities are gaining influence in Africa, indigenous understandings of disability remain intensely felt and continue to significantly impact the lives of persons with disabilities. It aims to shift attention from a largely Western narrative to a decolonial, inclusive and indigenous understanding of disability in sub-Saharan Africa.

The special issue consists of articles and creative works that take seriously and explore important aspects of sub-Saharan African perspectives on disability, including cultural understandings of disability and diet, moral obligations to persons with disabilities, literary representations of disability, African ontological foundations of disability , linguistic dimensions, gender, economics, and colorism. The articles cover communities in countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

ARTICLE SUMMARY

Here is a detailed summary of the key points from the article:

Overview of the Special Issue

- The special issue explores the positive and negative impacts of deeply entrenched cultural understandings of disability in sub-Saharan Africa and how they shape the lived experiences of persons with disabilities.

- It aims to shift attention from a largely Western narrative to a decolonial, inclusive and indigenous understanding of disability in the region.

- The articles cover communities in countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe and examine topics such as:

- Cultural understandings of disability and diet

- Moral obligations to persons with disabilities

-Literary representations of disability

- African ontological foundations of disability

- Linguistic dimensions

- Gender

- Economics

- Colourism

Cultural Understandings of Disability in Africa

- While modern scientific explanations for disabilities are gaining influence, indigenous understandings of disability remain intensely felt and continue to significantly impact the lives of persons with disabilities in African societies.

- Sub-Saharan African cultures hold their own conceptions of disability, including explanations for different forms of disabilities, attitudes, ways of coping, hermeneutics of the disabled body, social categories, and intersections with diet, health, gender, colourism, orality, politics and art.

- These notions of disability are deeply embedded into the fabric of community life and everyday activities and have real consequences for persons with disabilities.

Key Articles in the Special Issue

- Oche Onazi explores moral obligations to persons with disabilities based on African communitarian philosophy.

- Edwin Etieyibo examines the metaphysical and epistemological foundations of understandings of disability in sub-Saharan Africa and their connection with a holistic ontology.

- Kenneth U. Abudu looks at indigenous colourism in selected Nigerian cultures and how it provides a basis for understanding discrimination against persons with albinism.

- Francisca Anita Adom-Opare explores the connection between disability and dietary requirements during pregnancy by examining indigenous food taboos in Ghana.

- Kidus Meskele and Enoch Acheampong et al. explore how indigenous understandings of disability impact healthcare systems in Ethiopia and Ghana.

- Firdaws Oyebisi P-Ibrahim deduces important indigenous understandings of disability in Nigerian cultures from selected prose works.

- Chikuta, Chitambara, and Matura analyze how indigenous notions of disability impact employment and economic life of persons with disabilities in Zimbabwe.

- Creative works include South African poet Kobus Moolman's 'Fourteen Critical Questions' and production stills from a web series portraying a young woman with albinism in Kenya.

DETAILED EXPLANATION OF THE ARTICLE

The article provides a comprehensive overview of a special issue focused on understanding disability in sub-Saharan Africa, emphasizing the need to explore indigenous perspectives and cultural contexts surrounding disability. Here's a detailed explanation of its content:

Context and Aim

The article begins by highlighting how traditional views of disability in much of the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, have been heavily influenced by Western scientific and medical models. These models, often referred to as the "older models," include the medical and charity models that emerged during colonization. However, there is a growing interest in "newer models" that adopt a more inclusive and decolonial approach, focusing on cultural, ontological, religious, and aesthetic understandings of disability within African societies.

The special issue aims to shift the narrative from these Western-centric views to a more nuanced, indigenous understanding of disability that considers the lived experiences of persons with disabilities in various African communities.

Cultural understandings of disability

The article emphasizes that sub-Saharan African cultures possess their own unique conceptions of disability. These include:

- Explanations and Representations: Different forms of disabilities are understood and represented through local narratives and cultural lenses.

- Attitudes and Coping Mechanisms: Societal attitudes towards disabilities influence how individuals cope with and manage health challenges related to disabilities.

- Hermeneutics of the Disabled Body: The interpretation of the disabled body across cultures, affecting how disabilities are perceived and treated.

- Social Categories and Institutions: There are specific social structures and institutions in place to address disability, which are often intertwined with local customs and practices.

- Intersections with Other Factors: Disability intersects with diet, health, gender, colourism, and politics, which further complicates the understanding of disability in these societies.

The article argues that these cultural understandings are deeply embedded in community life and have significant implications for the well-being and experiences of persons with disabilities.

Contributions from the Special Issue

The special issue includes original articles and creative works that explore various aspects of disability in sub-Saharan Africa. Key contributions include:

- Moral Obligations: Oche Onazi discusses the moral obligations towards persons with disabilities from an African communitarian perspective.

- Metaphysical Foundations: Edwin Etieyibo examines the epistemological and metaphysical foundations of disability within African contexts.

- Discrimination and Colourism: Kenneth U. Abudu how indigenous colorism affects discrimination against individuals with albinism in Nigeria.

- Dietary Connections: Francisca Anita Adom-Opare explores the relationship between disability and dietary practices during pregnancy in Ghana.

- Healthcare Systems: Kidus Meskele and others investigate how indigenous understandings of disability impact healthcare practices in Ethiopia and Ghana.

- Literary Representations: Firdaws Oyebisi P-Ibrahim reviews indigenous narratives related to disability in Nigerian prose.

- Economic Impact: Chikuta, Chitambara, and Matura analyze how notions of disability influence employment and economic opportunities in Zimbabwe.

- Creative Works: The issue also includes artistic contributions that reflect on disability, such as poetry and visual representations.

Conclusion

The article concludes by asserting that while the special issue does not exhaust the study of indigenous understandings of disability in sub-Saharan Africa, it aims to stimulate important discussions and interests that can enrich the field of disability studies. The intent is to advocate for a more decolonial and inclusive approach that recognizes the unique cultural contexts of disability in African societies, ultimately enhancing the understanding and support for persons with disabilities in the region.

THE ARTICLE'S RELATION TO THE GHANAIAN SOCIETY.

The article relates to Ghanaian society in several significant ways, particularly through its exploration of indigenous understandings of disability, cultural practices, and the lived experiences of persons with disabilities in Ghana. Here are some key points of connection:

Indigenous Perspectives on Disability

1. Cultural Context: The article emphasizes the importance of indigenous perspectives on disability, which are deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of societies, including Ghana. These perspectives shape how disabilities are perceived, treated, and understood within communities.

2. Dietary Practices: One of the articles in the special issue specifically examines the connection between disability and dietary requirements during pregnancy by exploring indigenous food taboos in Ghana. This highlights how cultural beliefs and practices can impact the health and well-being of persons with disabilities.

Impact on Healthcare Systems

3. Healthcare Practices: The article discusses how indigenous understandings of disability influence healthcare systems in different sub-Saharan African countries, including Ghana. This can affect access to healthcare services and the type of care that individuals with disabilities receive.

4. Community Engagement: The special issue underscores the significance of community-based approaches to understanding and addressing disability. In Ghana, community engagement is crucial for improving the lives of persons with disabilities and ensuring that their needs are met within the healthcare system.

Societal Attitudes and Obligations

5. Moral Obligations: The article includes discussions on moral obligations toward persons with disabilities based on African communitarian philosophy. This perspective can resonate with Ghanaian societal values, where community and familial responsibilities are often emphasized.

6. Social Inclusion: The exploration of social categories and institutions for dealing with disability in the article relates to the broader discourse on social inclusion in Ghana. Understanding how disability is framed within the community can help address issues of stigma and discrimination faced by individuals with disabilities.

Economic Dimensions

7. Economic Impact: The article touches on how notions of disability affect employment and economic opportunities. This is particularly relevant in Ghana, where economic empowerment for persons with disabilities is a critical issue that intersects with cultural perceptions and societal attitudes.

Overall Implications

8. Decolonial Understanding: The article advocates for a shift from Western-centric narratives to a decolonial and inclusive understanding of disability. This aligns with ongoing efforts in Ghana to reclaim and promote indigenous knowledge systems and practices that respect local cultures and experiences.

9. Advocacy and Policy: The insights from the special issue can inform advocacy efforts in Ghana aimed at improving the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. By understanding local contexts and cultural nuances, policymakers can create more effective and culturally relevant interventions.

In summary, the article's exploration of disability through indigenous lenses, cultural practices, and community engagement is highly relevant to Ghanaian society. It encourages a deeper understanding of how disability is perceived and addressed within the Ghanaian context, ultimately promoting a more inclusive and equitable approach for individuals with disabilities.

20 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS RAISED FROM THE ARTICLE.

Here are 20 questions and answers based on the article regarding disability in sub-Saharan Africa:

1. What is the main focus of the special issue discussed in the article?

- The main focus is to explore the cultural understandings of disability in sub-Saharan Africa and their impact on the lived experiences of persons with disabilities.

2. How have Western models influenced the understanding of disability in sub-Saharan Africa?

- Western models, particularly the medical and charity models, have shaped the understanding of disability in postcolonial sub-Saharan Africa, often overshadowing indigenous perspectives.

3. What are the ‘older models’ of disability mentioned in the article?

- The ‘older models’ refer to the medical model and the charity model, which were introduced during colonization and continue to influence perceptions of disability.

4. What newer models of disability are gaining attention in Africa?

- Newer models include the social model and human rights model, which aim for a more inclusive and decolonial approach to understanding disability.

5. What are some key cultural factors that shape understandings of disability in sub-Saharan Africa?

- Key cultural factors include indigenous explanations for disabilities, societal attitudes, coping mechanisms, and intersections with diet, health, gender, and politics.

6. Why is it important to pay attention to indigenous understandings of disability?

- Indigenous understandings are deeply embedded in community life and have significant consequences for the well-being and experiences of persons with disabilities.

7. Which countries are highlighted in the special issue for their perspectives on disability?

- The special issue focuses on communities in Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

8. What specific disabilities are discussed in the articles of the special issue?

- The articles discuss disabilities such as podoconiosis, albinism, autism, dyslexia, and visual impairment.

9. How does Oche Onazi contribute to the discourse on disability?

- Oche Onazi explores moral obligations towards persons with disabilities based on African communitarian philosophy, proposing an asymmetrical conception of obligation.

10. What does Edwin Etieyibo examine in his article?

- Edwin Etieyibo examines the metaphysical and epistemological foundations of disability in sub-Saharan Africa and their connection with holistic ontology.

11. What issue does Kenneth U. Abudu address in his research?

- Kenneth U. Abudu addresses indigenous colourism in Nigerian cultures and its role in discrimination against individuals with albinism.

12. What connection does Francisca Anita Adom-Opare explore?

- She explores the connection between disability and dietary requirements during pregnancy, particularly indigenous food taboos in Ghana.

13. What do Kidus Meskele and Enoch Acheampong investigate?

- They investigate how indigenous understandings of disability impact healthcare systems in Ethiopia and Ghana.

14. What literary aspects does Firdaws Oyebisi P-Ibrahim analyze?

- Firdaws Oyebisi P-Ibrahim analyzes indigenous narratives related to disability in selected Nigerian prose works.

15. What economic issues are addressed by Chikuta, Chitambara, and Matura?

- They analyze how indigenous notions of disability affect employment and economic life in the hotel sector in Zimbabwe.

16. What creative works are included in the special issue?

- The issue includes a poem by Kobus Moolman and production stills from a web series about a young woman with albinism in Nairobi.

17. What is the significance of the workshops mentioned in the article?

- The workshops were part of the Disability and Inclusion Africa project, aimed at understanding the impact of alternative explanations for disability on individuals and communities.

18. How does the article suggest future research should be directed?

- The article suggests that future research should focus on indigenous understandings of disability to enrich a decolonial and inclusive approach in disability studies.

19. What are the potential consequences of ignoring indigenous perspectives on disability?

- Ignoring indigenous perspectives can lead to real harm and injustice for persons with disabilities, as it overlooks their lived experiences and cultural contexts.

20. What is the overarching goal of the articles and creative works in the special issue?

- The overarching goal is to stimulate conversations and interests that enhance the understanding of disability through a decolonial and inclusive lens in sub-Saharan Africa.