Philip J. Nel

The Effect of Variety and Location on Cactus Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) Fruit Quality

Little is known about the performance of South African cactus pear varieties in different agro-ecological regions. Effects of locality on internal quality parameters of available cactus pear varieties were examined. With only one exception, no significant differences among the mean replication values for the different parameters between the different locations were observed. The differences between mean values for most individual parameters at the three localities were highly significant. Highly significant differences between the mean values for the measured characteristics were observed, not only among the locations (except for the pulp glucose values), but also for the influences of genotype and interaction between locality and genotype. Significant variations existed between mean values of the different characteristics between localities. Genotype × environmental interactions were noted. It was concluded that Meyers is the most appropriate cultivar for economical purposes in South Africa.

Types of Umbilini (Intuition) in the “ukunyanga” (Xhosa Divination) Tradition

The study sought to characterize types of umbilini, a therapeutic skill in amagqirha divination system. Qualitative data on umbilini experiences were collected from 115 participants with self-reported umbilini experience and supplemented with 25 consultation session observations between amagqirha and their clients. Results indicate four types of umbilini: uthuku, uvalo, ulwazi/ukubona; internal organs of an animal, person and status of the persons womb. Findings suggest umbilini to be rooted in complex biopsychosocial processes worth of further study.

SYNCRETISM, HYBRIDITY AND AMBIVALENCE: PROBING THE CONCEPTS IN RELIGIOUS DISCOURSE WITH REFERENCE TO SACRED SITE DYNAMICS IN SOUTH AFRICA

This article arises from the author’s exposure and research in the field of Southern African religious collectivities as user communities at sacred sites in the Eastern Free State. The user communities consist of individual pilgrims, groups of In-dependent Church affiliations and adherents of local traditional religion, per-forming frequent visits to the sites and often staying there for different lengths of time. Customary practices and ritual performances reveal an astonishing fusion of different religious beliefs without apparent overt tensions; in fact, performances often exhibit a seamless spiritual embroidery. It was therefore important to account for these levels of religious belief overlap, as well as the validity of concepts historically coined to describe the fusion of religious beliefs. The concepts of syncretism and hybridity are then probed regarding their validity to account for the blending of religious beliefs. My concluding contention is that both have too much historical and ideological baggage and that the concept of ambivalence may signal a more neutral exit for the dilemma.

JOB 1-21: Interpretation and Commentary (Illuminations) / CL Seow

The mere size of the publication, the extent of the background information, as well as the articulated commentary and theological interpretation of the first 21 Chapters of the Book of Job may intimidate the reader at first glance. However, the avoidance of stilted speech and preference of sound, logical and reader-friendly discourse soon arrest the attention of the readerirresistibly.

TRENDS IN WISDOM RESEARCH: A PERSPECTIVE FROM THE AFRICAN CONTINENT

The article explores crucial differences and emphases between mainstream Western interpretations of Wisdom and important scholarly voices from the continent of Africa. The divergent trends are highlighted mainly in respect of the central theme of the volume, namely, human dignity and poverty. The perspective maintained in the article to avoid undue reductionism towards a singular methodological stance and to acknowledge positively ‘other’ spaces for interpretation is informed by the concept of model-dependent realism. In conclusion, a few considerations are tabled which could facilitate a space of dialogue and simultaneously value a sensitivity towards a post-colonial ‘African’1 scholarly voice. doi: 10.7833/111-1-28