The Awakening: Makudlalwe. How play awakens the inner child in black Indigenous African adults

The concept of the inner child represents the emotional and experiential core of individuals, often shaped by early life experiences. This article focuses on research which explored the significance of play in awakening this inner child in black Indigenous African adults, particularly in the context of Drama Therapy. By utilizing methods such as neuro-dramatic play and guided play, this study seeks to understand how play can serve as a therapeutic tool to reconnect individuals with their past, promote healing, and enhance personal growth. The colonized African child growing up under post-colonial times may have the experience and memory of being deprived of play due to colonial factors that include Apartheid, land displacement, and but not limited to slave labour. A way to activate memories is through using the body as a vessel that allows the flow of experience to take place. This is why play is an important element of the research that informs this article as it assists one to understand how play can contribute to traveling to and navigating that space in time, using the body. The article aims to explore how play can awaken the inner child in black Indigenous African adults, contributing to the understanding of play within the context of Drama Therapy. I argue that the exploration of play can foster connections within communities and promote emotional healing, particularly in a post-apartheid South African context where historical traumas and socio-economic disparities persist. The study ultimately seeks to contribute to the field of Drama Therapy by emphasizing play as a vital process for self-discovery and emotional well-being.