Traditional Medicine in Africa

What are common misconceptions associated with traditional medicine?

Backward, superstitious-based, conservative, static or unchanging.

What does the holistic approach in traditional medicine entail?

It includes physical, emotional, psychological, and social aspects.

According to traditional medicine, what is the root cause of illness?

Illness is an imbalance in social, physical, psychological, or emotional dimensions.

What is the concept of 'Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu'?

A person is a person because of other people; emphasizes the importance of social relationships. Healing based on social relationships and community support is central to traditional medicine's effectiveness.

What three theories underlie the cause and explanation of health and disease in traditional medicine?

Personalistic, naturalistic, and emotionalistic theories.

What does the personalistic theory attribute diseases to?

Personal entities such as witchcraft, sorcerers, and ancestral spirits. Troubled soul, anger, remorse, or worry

What does the naturalistic theory emphasize regarding disease? How are people healed?

It attributes diseases to the malfunction of internal organs. Healing is applied through herbal concoctions and decoctions

What is an example of a psychological issue in the emotionalistic theory?

Homesickness resulting from traveling and leaving family behind.

How do traditional healers manage diseases?

They base healing on holistic care and intercede on a sick person’s behalf.

Who are Abosomfo in traditional healing? Give examples of treatment.

• Diviners who heal physical, emotional, and spiritual sickness.

• Perform rituals of death and births

• Counter forces of destructive witches

• Explained cosmology and tradition

• Communication between living and dead

• Revered feared and respected in communities

What is the role of herbalists, or Adunsifo, in traditional medicine?

They apply knowledge of plant-based medicine and perform rituals. Little to no use of supernatural powers to provide healing

What are the functions of traditional birth attendants? Who did they work with?

They provide prenatal, postnatal, and delivery assistance addressing spiritual concerns. Worked with herbalists and circumcision surgeons.

What influence did Islamic ideas have on circumcision surgeons in Asante?

It framed circumcision as a covenant between God and Abraham.

What is the emotionalist view?

Psychological or psychiatric related

Troubled by mental sickness if one refuses to become a healer

All diseases, irrespective of their state, are __________ _________

Witchcraft related. Caused by transgressions or immoral acts

What were circumcision surgeons called?

Wanzams