The development in the understanding of the concept of death among black South African learners from the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Thirty-one learners aged 6-16 were selected using purposive sampling, with the aim of investigating their understanding of death. Data were collected using drawings andsemi-structured tape-recorded interviews from a modified version of the Smilansky Death Questionnaire. Drawings were analysedfollowing Marton\'sphenomenographicmethod. Interview transcripts were analysed using pattern coding. Specific responses regarding the components of death were analysed using Smilansky\'s scoring method. Nine descriptive categories were gathered from the drawings: personification, colours, physical features, gender, age, method of death, position of the dead, funeralisation, life symbols. Drawings reflected more similarities than differences between age groups. The 6-8 year-olds hada better understanding of human death than of animal death, whereas the oldergroups were more advancedin conceptualising animal death. This finding demonstrates the influence of culturalpractices. The conceptualisation of old age developed before the other components of death, followed by inevitability, irreversibility, finality, and causality respectively. Gender differences were noted in the explanations of causes of death. Conclusions demonstrate that the understanding of death is affected by age, cognition, and familial and cultural factors depending on the context within which such development takes place. Future research should consider context when examining children\'s conceptions of death. Keywords: death-concept; neo-Piagetian; children; Africa; cultureHealth SA Gesondheid Vol. 9 (4) 2004: pp. 3-1