2008
338 pp.
Appendix: Map and Informants
Text language: English
Throughout urban and rural communities of Namibia, Khoisan traditional healing is alive and well. This book, at its broadest level, explores the contemporary nature of Khoisan traditional medicine. It additionally examines what present Khoisan health strategies can tell us about those of the past. As indicated in the title, the author’s focus is principally on ideas and not practices, although the two clearly overlap. He has emphasised understanding over practice out of a perceived need to highlight, and to some extent attempt to redress, a very partial historical and contemporary literature on Khoisan healing.
The book draws upon a long history of traveller, settler, administrative, soldier, missionary and anthropological sources, from the initial settlement phase of the Cape in 1652 to the present. Through historical analysis of these sources and insights gained from eight months fieldwork amongst Khoisan, the author has sought to identify key factors in the contingent history that have led us to our present understanding of Khoisan healing.
Moreover, he has attempted to identify where weaknesses might lie in the Western understanding of Khoisan healing and to suggest how these weaknesses might be addressed.
CONTENTS
Chapter 1: A Loaded Encounter
Chapter 2: Vested Interests – From Missionaries to Professional Anthropologists
Chapter 3: Kalahari Shamanism
Chapter 4: Damara and Haikom [Hai||om] Healers of Northern Namibia
Chapter 5: Ideas and Practice
Chapter 6: Conclusion
Appendix 1: Informants
Appendix 2: Map
This book is based on the revised and updated thesis of the author (University of Oxford/UK, D.Phil. thesis 2004).
Under these links you will find further publications on traditional and alternative healing practices in Africa and Asia:
