Socio-cultural perceptions of infertility in women and treatment, the case of Kom in Boyo division, North West Province

This study is titled- SOCIO-CULTURAL PERCEPTIONS OF INFERTILITY IN WOMEN AND TREATMENT, THE CASE OF KOM IN BOYO DIVISION, NORTH WEST PROVINCE. It is a socio-cultural analysis of the cultural underpinnings of 'female infertility' in a matrilineal Korn society. It explores the people's concepts of reproduction: - human and vegetational. There is an intricate link between the two· spheres. They are better expressed using the terms: "akain" and "dumwaiyn", which express the degree to which infertile people have been relegated. The major cultural themes we analyse are-The use of symbolism and imagery in explaining human fertility and how procreation influences social statuses among women. -The link between procreation, and moral conduct in a traditional society, that is, the rela_tionship between infertile women, co-wives, children of co-wives, others ,and polygynous husbands.-Practices which are detrimental to human, and agricultural fertility. -The link between infertility and witchcraft. -The place offertility/infertility in matrimonial stability.