Indigenous Medicine and Knowledge in African Society (African Studies) PDF
Preview Indigenous Medicine and Knowledge in African Society (African Studies)
African Studies History, Politics, Economics, and Culture Edited by Molefi Asante Temple University A Routledge Series African Studies History, Politics, Economics, and Culture Molefi Asante, General Editor The Hidden Debate The NGO Factor in Africa The Truth Revealed about the Battle The Case of Arrested Development in over Affirmative Action in South Africa Kenya and the United States Maurice Nyamanga Amutabi Akil Kokayi Khalfani Social Movements and Democracy Britain, Leftist Nationalists and in Africa the Transfer of Power in Nigeria, The Impact of Women’s Struggle for 1945–1965 Equal Rights in Botswana Hakeem Ibikunle Tijani Agnes Ngoma Leslie Western-Educated Elites in Kenya, Nefer 1900–1963 The Aesthetic Ideal in Classical Egypt The African American Factor Willie Cannon-Brown Jim C. Harper, II The Experience of Economic Africa and IMF Conditionality Redistribution The Unevenness of Compliance, The Growth, Employment and 1983–2000 Redistribution Strategy in South Africa Kwame Akonor Clarence Tshitereke African Cultural Values The Role of the Press and Igbo Political Leadership in Colonial Communication Technology in Nigeria, 1900–1966 Democratization Raphael Chijioke Njoku The Nigerian Story Aje-Ori Agbese A Roadmap for Understanding African Politics The Politics of Ethnic Nationalism Leadership and Political Integration in Afrikaner Unity, the National Party, Nigeria and the Radical Right in Stellenbosch, Victor Oguejiofor Okafor 1934–1948 Joanne L. Duffy Doing Justice Without the State The Afikpo (Ehugbo) Nigeria Model Mobutu’s Totalitarian Political O. Oko Elechi System An Afrocentric Analysis Student Power in Africa’s Higher Peta Ikambana Education A Case of Makerere University Indigenous Medicine and Knowledge Frederick Kamuhanda Byaruhanga in African Society Kwasi Konadu Indigenous Medicine and Knowledge in African Society Kwasi Konadu Routledge New York & London Routledge Routledge Taylor & Francis Group Taylor & Francis Group 270 Madison Avenue 2 Park Square New York, NY 10016 Milton Park, Abingdon Oxon OX14 4RN © 2007 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group, an Informa business This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2007. “To purchase your own copy of this or any of Taylor & Francis or Routledge’s collection of thousands of eBooks please go to www.eBookstore.tandf.co.uk.” International Standard Book Number‑10: 0‑415‑95620‑X (Hardcover) International Standard Book Number‑13: 978‑0‑415‑95620‑8 (Hardcover) No part of this book may be reprinted, reproduced, transmitted, or utilized in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying, microfilming, and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publishers. Trademark Notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. Library of Congress Cataloging‑in‑Publication Data Konadu, Kwasi. Indigenous medicine and knowledge in African society / by Kwasi Konadu. p. cm. ‑‑ (African studies) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN‑13: 978‑0‑415‑95620‑8 1. Traditional medicine‑‑Africa. 2. Medical anthropology‑‑Africa. 3. Medicinal plants‑‑Africa. 4. Africa‑‑Social life and customs. I. Title. GN645.K65 2007 306.4’61‑‑dc22 2006034906 Visit the Taylor & Francis Web site at http://www.taylorandfrancis.com and the Routledge Web site at http://www.routledge.com ISBN0-203-94139-X(cid:10) Master e-book ISBN To Nana Kofi Donkor, one whose approach to healing is worthy of emulation and Nananom Yaw, Akua, Afia, Wɔfa Kwadwo, and my sister Akosua: may you all continue to pave the way for us from across the waters Contents List of Tables ix List of Figures xi List of Images xiii Selected Akan (Twi) Glossary xv Mpaeɛ (libation) xxiii Preface xxix Acknowledgments xxxi Chapter One Context and Approach to African Medicines 1 Chapter Two Bono (Akan) Society and Healing Perspectives 27 Chapter Three Aduro: Indigenous Conceptions of Medicine 77 Chapter Four Nyansa: Indigenous Knowledge and Medicine 123 Chapter Five Ayaresa: Discussion and Conclusion 157 vii viii Contents Appendix One The Indigenous Bono (Akan) Calendar 181 Appendix Two Organizational Structure of the Bono-Takyiman District Assembly 185 Appendix Three Functional Hierarchy of Settlements in Takyiman District 187 Appendix Four Glossary of Pharmacological and Medical Terms 191 Appendix Five Medicinal Proverbs from Secondary Sources 195 Appendix Six Interview Protocol 201 Notes 205 Bibliography 219 Index 235 List of Tables Table 2.1 Takyiman District Population Censuses for 1960, 1984, 1996, and 2000 36 Table 2.2 Writers on Akan Concepts of the Human Being 39 Table 2.3 Akan “Soul” Names and Their Character 43 Table 2.4 Categorical Profile of Indigenous Healers 58 Table 2.5 Categories and Descriptions of Sickness-Disease 68 Table 2.6 Selected Notions on Causation, Medicines, and Prevention 70 Table 3.1 Indigenous Healers’ Classification of Medicine by Frequency 79 Table 3.2 What Healers Say Account for Bono Medicine’s Uniqueness 80 Table 3.3 Medicines, Parts Used, Ingredients, and Diseases Addressed 81 Table 3.4 Names and Frequency of Medicines Spoken of by Healers 89 ix
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