debate on the perceived and self-labeled conflict
between science, which Western biomedicine
represents, and religion, wherein African medi-
cine is located, an engagement of complementary
efforts could be made.
Recently, practitioners in the field of medical
sciences in some African universities have begun to
discover and engage an intersection in the practice
of the two systems of therapy, lending credence to
holistic medical practice. Western biomedical prac-
titioners now collaborate with practitioners of
indigenous medicine to find out the plant and ani-
mal materials that they use for the cure of certain
diseases. They test such materials in laboratories to
discover the therapeutic power in them as used by
African medical practitioners.
A reconsideration of the old preconceptions
about medicine, science, and religion is now being
done in Africa, as is being done elsewhere, in places
such as India and New Zealand, where indigenous
medical practices involving the use of herbs help in
procuring holistic health and healing. African medi-
cine is one of the many incredible varieties that are
made use of throughout the world.
David O. OgungbileSeealsoMedicine Men and Women
Further Readings
Appiah-Kubi, K. (1989). Religion and Healing in an
African Community: The Akan of Ghana. In L. E.
Sullivan (Ed.),Healing and Restoring(pp. 203–224).
New York & London: Macmillan.
Ayim-Aboagye, D. (1997).The Psychology of Akan
Religious Healing(Religionsvetenskapliga skrifter
nr 36). Åbo, Finland: Åbo Akademi.
Fatusi, A. (2007). Medicine and the Humanities. In
S. Akinrinade, D. Fashina, D. O. Ogungbile, &
J. O. Famakinwa (Eds.),Rethinking the Humanities
in Africa: A Publication of Faculty of Arts
(pp. 443–462). Ilé-Ifè, Nigeria: Obafemi Awolowo
University.
Feierman, S. (1985). Struggles for Control: The Social
Roots of Health and Healing in Modern Africa.
African Studies Review, 28 (2/3), 73–147.
Getui, M., & Theuri, M. M. (Eds.). (2002).Quests for
Abundant Life in Africa. Nairobi, Kenya: Acton.
Janzen, J. M. (1989). Health, Religion and Medicine
in Central and Southern African Traditions. In
L. E. Sullivan (Ed.),Healing and Restoring(pp.
225–254). New York & London: Macmillan.
Mbiti, J. (1990).African Religions and Philosophy(2nd
ed.). London: Heinemann.
Olupona, J. K. (Ed.). (2000).African Spirituality:Forms,
Meaning,and Expressions. New York: New Era Press.
Sullivan, L. E. (Ed.). (1989).Healing and Restoring:
Health and Medicine in the World’s Religious
Traditions. New York & London: Macmillan.
Westerlund, D. (2006).African Indigenous Religions and
Disease Causation:From Spiritual Beings to Living
Humans. Leiden, Netherlands, & Boston: E. J. Brill.MEDICINEMEN AND WOMEN
From the earliest of times, Africans have concep-
tualized a special class of individuals (men and
women) as having evolved to interpret, address,
and eradicate the experience of disease. These
communally based individuals worked in pursuit
of optimal health. They were responsible for pro-
tecting people from physical and spiritual harm.
They are known as traditional healers or priests,
shamans—medicine men and women. Traditional
healers come from a wide variety of ethnic/
national backgrounds and often cultivate specific
areas of expertise. They are the professional doc-
tors within communities who are guided by God
through the orishas (divinities) and the ancestors.
They are often believed to channel the spirit of the
ancestors for assistance. This entry looks at their
training and practice, as well as their role in dif-
ferent African societies.Preparation and Practice
Because of the great responsibility within the role of
traditional healer, medicine men and women were
wholly accountable to the communities they served.
They performed healing, divining, and counseling.
The process of becoming a traditional healer varied
among ethnic groups and nations; however, the
common underlying factors of training included- some quality or attribute that identifies the
individual as one for service; - an expectation as part of a family or
occupational tradition;
Medicine Men and Women 419