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Raising the Dust explores the relationship between human and ecological health through the lens of African traditional medicine, as practiced in the south of Malawi. The book employs an ethnographic methodology using the primary methods of semi-structured interviews and participant observation. The fieldwork for the research was conducted in the Mulanje Mountain Biosphere and the findings are presented as a narrative exploration of insider and outsider positions, in this context. The conceptual framework for the book encompasses a broad range of ecological ideas, focussing mainly on traditional ecological knowledge and radical ecology. The holistic theoretical framework for the book emerges in a grounded way from out of the fieldwork experience. The book is written in plain language and will appeal to anyone interested in holistic health outlooks, particularly cross-cultural health and wellbeing narratives.
List of contents
Chapter One: Unwrapping.- Chapter Two: Methodology.- Chapter Three: Traditional Medical Practice.- Chapter Four: Women's Knowledge, Women's Work.- Chapter Five: Community Relationships.- Chapter Six: Footprints, Pedals and Pathways.- Chapter Seven: The Market.- Chapter Eight: The State of the Biosphere Reserve.- Chapter Nine: Theoretical Reflections.- Chapter Ten: Wrapping Up.
About the author
Following a passionate interest in holistic health, and having a particular interest in cross-cultural onto-epistemologies, Dr Theresa Jones has worked in many different roles across the health, social welfare and education sectors. She is motivated by the need to address health as a social justice issue and as an ecological imperative.
Summary
Raising the Dust explores the relationship between human and ecological health through the lens of African traditional medicine, as practiced in the south of Malawi. The book employs an ethnographic methodology using the primary methods of semi-structured interviews and participant observation. The fieldwork for the research was conducted in the Mulanje Mountain Biosphere and the findings are presented as a narrative exploration of insider and outsider positions, in this context. The conceptual framework for the book encompasses a broad range of ecological ideas, focussing mainly on traditional ecological knowledge and radical ecology. The holistic theoretical framework for the book emerges in a grounded way from out of the fieldwork experience. The book is written in plain language and will appeal to anyone interested in holistic health outlooks, particularly cross-cultural health and wellbeing narratives.
