An outstanding element of traditional medicine is the conception of disease by its practitioners and recipients. This study presents the perceptions of disease held by the members of four Bapedi communities located in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The data is derived from a doctoral thesis on indigenous primary healthcare practices. Results indicate that disease is conceptualised as a physiological anomaly presenting itself through a range of symptoms including compromised visual and auditory functions, decreased physical mobility, depressive and stressful states, rising body temperature, and diminished emotional well-being. This conceptualization of disease should serve as the foundation for delivering appropriate healthcare that aligns with patients' comprehension of their diseases.  Kulcsszavak: Disease perception, Indigenous knowledge, traditional medicine, physiological abnormality, weakened spirit