Research & Indigenous Knowledge Systems

Researching Our Knowledge. Preserving Our Heritage. Shaping Our Future.

The Traditional Health Practice Association of Southern Africa NPC (THPASA) recognises Indigenous Health Knowledge Systems (IHKS) as living bodies of knowledge developed, preserved, refined, and transmitted through generations of Traditional Health Practitioners, communities, families, and ancestral lineages.

These knowledge systems represent an invaluable intellectual, cultural, spiritual, scientific, and community resource that has contributed to the health and wellbeing of African societies for centuries.

THPASA believes that Indigenous Health Knowledge should not merely be studied by others—it should be documented, researched, protected, developed, and advanced by the very communities and practitioners who are its custodians.

Accordingly, THPASA is committed to positioning Traditional Health Practitioners at the centre of Indigenous Health research, knowledge production, publication, innovation, and policy development.

Our Research Philosophy

THPASA supports research that is:

Practitioner-Led

Traditional Health Practitioners must be active participants, contributors, investigators, and knowledge holders within research processes.

Community-Centred

Research must benefit communities and respect cultural, spiritual, and customary contexts.

Ethically Grounded

Research involving Indigenous Knowledge must be conducted with integrity, transparency, informed consent, and respect for cultural protocols.

Knowledge-Preserving

Research should contribute to the preservation and responsible transmission of Indigenous Health Knowledge Systems.

Development-Oriented

Research should strengthen practitioners, communities, healthcare systems, and Indigenous Knowledge institutions.

Why Indigenous Research Matters

For generations, Indigenous Knowledge Systems have often been documented, interpreted, and published by external institutions, researchers, and organisations.

While collaboration remains important, THPASA believes that Indigenous communities and practitioners must increasingly become leaders in determining research priorities, methodologies, ownership arrangements, and dissemination strategies.

Research should not only extract knowledge.

Research should contribute to:

  • Knowledge preservation;
  • Practitioner development;
  • Community benefit;
  • Cultural continuity;
  • Policy influence;
  • Health system improvement;
  • Intellectual property protection;
  • Indigenous innovation.

Research Areas

THPASA supports research in areas including:

Traditional Healing Practices

Documentation and study of traditional healing approaches, methodologies, and professional practice systems.

Indigenous Medicines

Research relating to traditional medicinal knowledge, preparation methods, usage traditions, and safety considerations.

Indigenous Health Knowledge Systems

Documentation, preservation, analysis, and advancement of indigenous healthcare knowledge.

Community Health

Research examining the contribution of Traditional Health Practitioners to community wellbeing and public health.

Health Policy & Governance

Research supporting evidence-informed policy development and sector advancement.

Education & Professional Development

Research into practitioner training, mentorship, competency development, and professional standards.

Culture, Spirituality & Healing

Research exploring the interconnected relationship between culture, spirituality, identity, and health.

Indigenous Knowledge Protection

THPASA recognises that Indigenous Knowledge constitutes an important form of intellectual and cultural heritage.

The Association supports initiatives aimed at:

  • Protecting Indigenous Knowledge from exploitation;
  • Promoting equitable benefit sharing;
  • Preserving cultural heritage;
  • Supporting community ownership principles;
  • Encouraging ethical research partnerships;
  • Strengthening Indigenous intellectual property awareness.

Knowledge preservation must never occur at the expense of cultural integrity, community rights, or practitioner dignity.

Research Programmes & Initiatives

THPASA seeks to establish and support:

Indigenous Health Research Programmes

Practitioner-led research initiatives focused on traditional healthcare and Indigenous Knowledge Systems.

Knowledge Documentation Projects

Projects aimed at preserving oral histories, healing traditions, community practices, and professional knowledge.

Research Publications

Production of journals, reports, discussion papers, policy briefs, and practitioner publications.

Research Collaboratives

Partnerships between practitioners, communities, researchers, educational institutions, and stakeholders.

Student Research Support

Encouraging emerging practitioners and researchers to contribute to Indigenous Health scholarship.

THPASA Centre for Indigenous Health Research & Knowledge Systems

As part of its long-term strategic vision, THPASA seeks to develop dedicated structures that support Indigenous Health research, knowledge preservation, publication, education, and innovation.

These initiatives aim to create sustainable platforms through which Traditional Health Practitioners can actively contribute to national and international knowledge development while maintaining ownership, stewardship, and cultural integrity.

Publications & Knowledge Resources

THPASA supports the development of:

  • Research reports;
  • Position papers;
  • Policy submissions;
  • Technical guidance documents;
  • Educational materials;
  • Indigenous Health publications;
  • Practitioner resources;
  • Sector development studies.

These publications contribute to evidence-informed decision-making and the advancement of Traditional Health Practice.

Working With Research Partners

THPASA welcomes collaboration with:

  • Traditional Health Practitioners;
  • Communities and traditional leadership structures;
  • Universities and colleges;
  • Research institutions;
  • Government departments;
  • Civil society organisations;
  • Healthcare organisations;
  • International partners.

All collaborations should be guided by principles of mutual respect, ethical engagement, equitable participation, and recognition of Indigenous Knowledge ownership.

Building Indigenous Knowledge Leadership

THPASA envisions a future in which Traditional Health Practitioners are not only participants in research, but recognised leaders in knowledge generation, publication, innovation, policy development, and intellectual discourse.

By strengthening Indigenous research capacity and supporting practitioner-led scholarship, THPASA seeks to contribute to a future where Indigenous Health Knowledge Systems are preserved, respected, advanced, and responsibly applied for the benefit of present and future generations.

Interested in contributing to Indigenous Health research, publications, knowledge preservation, or collaborative projects? Contact THPASA or join our growing Research & Indigenous Knowledge Systems community.