An interpretive study of the perception of disability in 2 Samuel 9 and among the Bamasaaba in Eastern Uganda

Abstract

This thesis is about the interpretation of the perceptions of disability in 2 Samuel 9 and the religious perceptions of disability among Bamasaaba in the Manafwa and Sironko districts. The text of 2 Samuel 9 is exegetically analysed to uncover aspects of disability inclusion. Through an explanatory sequential design, the Bamasaaba religious beliefs and perceptions about disability are explained to establish their influence on the social-religious inclusion of persons with disability. Mainly, the study analysed how the interpretation of disability in 2 Samuel 9 and the Bamasaaba socio-cultural perspectives of disability can contribute to the socio-religious inclusion of people with disabilities. So, the study had three objectives: 1) To carry out exegetical analysis of 2 Samuel 9 on disability inclusion; 2) To explain the Bamasaaba religious beliefs and perceptions of disability and establish how they influence inclusive participation of people with disability among Bamasaaba; and 3) To carry out an interactive analysis of disability interpretation in 2 Samuel 9 and Bamasaaba religious perspectives of disability for socio-religious inclusiveness of people with disability in Eastern Uganda. These objectives were studied using an integrated theoretical framework of Liberation theology of disability and Social Constructivism theory. Methodologically, the study adopted a pragmatic paradigm that facilitated the use of mixed method design of an explanatory sequential and interactive research approach to conduct an explanative survey, interpretative phenomenology, and exegetical analysis. The exegetical study of 2 Samuel 9 text shows that identity for people with disability; perception of leaders toward persons with disability; practice of restoring the socio-economic status of people with disability, creating an enabling environment for social interactions for people with disability, and securing the future for persons with disability are critical for disability inclusion. The socio-cultural findings on disability among Bamasaaba revealed that Bamasaaba are a religious community, who understand disability from a socio-religious context as a congenital burden, personal tragedy, and spiritual curse; and believe that disability is the Will of God, and also the work of ancestral and evil spirits. Although the results show a negative correlation between religious beliefs and the nature of disability, the majority of Bamasaaba believe that mental/intellectual disabilities are associated with spiritual curses, and witchcraft compared to other disabilities. This research established that religious beliefs and perceptions about disability are critical predictors of how the community perceives disability and how persons with disability participate in society. The findings further showed that attitudes and behaviours, socio-cultural understanding of disability; caregiver education level, socio-economic status, nature of the disability, and provision of spiritual support were significantly associated with religious participation of persons with disability. Based on the findings, the study suggests a socio-religious inclusion model for transforming beliefs and perceptions about disability to enhance disability inclusion in society. The thesis has shown how the socio-religious construction of disability significantly shapes the attitudes, behaviours, and interpretations of disability inclusion among Bamasaaba. The positive attitudes and behaviours, and disability-inclusive theologies are considered resources for the inclusive interpretation of disability in the Bible and the construction of inclusive disability language for homiletics. Therefore, the study recommends a positive and inclusive interpretation of disability among religious communities that can transform perspective and enhance inclusion by integrating people with disability fully into society through deconstructing normative notions within religious communities. The practitioners and other agencies are also called upon to support the social and economic livelihood of household