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In this book, Dr. John M. Janzen describes patterns of healing among the BaKongo of Lower Zaire in Africa, who, like many peoples elsewhere, utilize cosmopolitan medicine alongside traditional healing practices. What criteria, he asks, determine the choice of the alternative therapies? And what is their institutional interrelationship?
In seeking answers, he analyzes case histories and cultural contexts to explore what social transactions, decisionmaking, illness and therapy classifications, and resource allocations are used in the choice of therapy by the ill, their kinfolk, friends, asociates, and specialized practitioners.
List of contents
List of Illustrations
Foreword, by Charles Leslie
Preface
PART ONE: THE AREA OF STUDY
1. The Human Setting of Healing in Lower Zaire
2. A History of Medical Pluralism in Lower Zaire
PART TWO: STUDIES IN KONGO ILLNESS AND THERAPY
An Introductory Note
3. Disease of God, Disease of Man
4. Strife in the Family As Cause of Child's Illness
5. A History of Madness
6. The Professional as Kinsman
7. Marriage and the Father's Blessing
8. The Clan as Patient
PART THREE: THE LOGIC OF THERAPEUTIC SYSTEMS
An Introductory Note
9. The Jural Status of Therapy in Kongo Society
10. Interpreting Symptoms
11. Contemporary Systems of Popular Medicine in Lower Zaire
12. Toward an Integrated Medicine
Appendix A. Episodes of Case Studies Reported in Chapters 3-8
Appendix B. Herbarium of Medicinal Plants
Bibliography of Works Cited
Glossary-Index
About the author
John M. Janzen is Professor of Anthropology at the University of Kansas. His books include Lemba 1650-1930 (1982) and Ngoma: Discourses of Healing in Central and Southern Africa (California, 1992).
Summary
Describes patterns of healing among the BaKongo of Lower Zaire in Africa, who, like many people elsewhere, utilize cosmopolitan medicine alongside traditional healing practices. This book asks What criteria determine the choice of the alternative therapies? And what is their institutional interrelationship?
