Indigenous African art and healing: forgotten memories, planting memories of tomorrow

bibliographic database
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Periodical article

Title:	Indigenous African art and healing: forgotten memories, planting memories of tomorrow
Author:	Ntuli, Pitika P.
Year:	2009
Periodical:	Indilinga: African Journal of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (ISSN 1683-0296)
Volume:	8
Issue:	2
Pages:	138-146
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Africa
Subjects:	healing rites psychotherapy masks sculpture
Abstract:	This article situates art, particularly sculpture, within the framework of emotional, mental and psychic healing, and argues that like a priest or a healer an artist is called into 'Being'. The paper attempts to paint a picture of the broad strokes of healing practice across Africa, touching on the significance of art - masks and music - in rituals, spirit possession and initiation. The interconnectedness of individual and community healing is described and the paper concludes by arguing that the privileging of rational intelligence (IQ) over emotional and spiritual intelligences (EQ and SQ) has deprived art of its principle role of healing at the societal, communal and individual levels. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]