Ngoma - Discourses of Healing in Central and Southern Africa

"Ngoma," " in Bantu, means drum, song, performance, and healing cult or association. A widespread form of ritual healing in Central and Southern Africa, "ngoma" is fully investigated here for the first time and interpreted in a contemporary context. John Janzens daring study incorporates drumming and spirit possession into a broader, institutional profile that emphasizes the varieties of knowledge and social forms and also the common elements of "doing "ngoma."
Drawing on his recent field research in Kinshasa, Dar-es-Salaam, Mbabane, and Capetown, Janzen reveals how "ngoma" transcends national and social boundaries. Spoken and sung discourses about affliction, extended counseling, reorientation of the self or household, and the creation of networks that link the afflicted, their kin, and their healers are all central to "ngoma"--and familiar to Western self-help institutions as well. Students of African healing and also those interested in the comparative and historical study of medicine, religion, and music will find "Ngoma" a valuable and thought-provoking book.

About the author

John M. Janzen is Professor of Anthropology at the University of Kansas. His previous books include Lemba 1650-1930 (1982), and Quest for Therapy in Lower Zaire (California, 1978), which won the Wellcome Prize and Medal of the Royal Anthropological Institute.

Summary

A widespread form of ritual healing in Central and Southern Africa, ngoma is investigated here and interpreted in a contemporary context. The study incorporates spirit possession into a broader, institutional profile that emphasizes the varieties of knowledge and social forms.

Product details

• Authors: John M. Janzen, Janzen John M.
• Publisher: University Of California Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 21.10.1992
• EAN: 9780520072657
• ISBN: 978-0-520-07265-7
• No. of pages: 276
• Series: Comparative Studies of Health; Comparative Studies of Health Systems and Medical Care
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > Politics, society, business > Politics; Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > Miscellaneous; Sociology, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / General, Anthropology, Sociology: customs & traditions, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Customs & Traditions, Southern Africa, Central Africa, Cultural studies: customs and traditions