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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Water and Healing: Experiences from the Traditional Healers in Ile-Ife, Nigeria |
Author: | Rinne, Eva-Marita |
Year: | 2001 |
Periodical: | Nordic Journal of African Studies |
Volume: | 10 |
Issue: | 1 |
Pages: | 41-65 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Nigeria |
Subjects: | Yoruba traditional medicine Religion and Witchcraft Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) |
External link: | https://www.njas.fi/njas/article/view/590/419 |
Abstract: | This paper examines the role of water in healing among traditional Yoruba healers in southwestern Nigeria. The data for the study are derived from five focus group discussions conducted between April and June 1998 and between November and December 1999 in Ile-Ife region, Osun state, Nigeria. The author first gives an outline of Nigeria's pluralistic health care system, which includes modern health care services, traditional medicine, and popular practices. She then discusses the Yoruba conception of misfortune as an illness and the use of charms and amulets as preventive tools against misfortune. Focusing on the use of water in traditional healing, the author discusses the ways in which water is used in the preparation of remedies and in various stages of the healing process, as well as the association of water healing with the goddess Osun. This is highlighted by the example of bathing, a common treatment, especially for women suffering from infertility. Bibliogr., notes. ref., sum. |