Ngoma : discourses of healing in Central and Southern Africa / John M. Janzen.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Janzen, John M., Author.

Series:

Comparative studies of health systems and medical care ; volume 34.

Comparative Studies of Health Systems and Medical Care ; 34

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Rites and ceremonies--Africa, Central.

Rites and ceremonies.

Rites and ceremonies--Africa, Southern.

Healing--Africa, Central.

Healing.

Healing--Africa, Southern.

Traditional medicine--Africa, Central.

Traditional medicine.

Traditional medicine--Africa, Southern.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (274 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Berkeley, CA : University of California Press, [1992]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Ngoma, in Bantu, means drum, song, performance, and healing cult or association. A widespread form of ritual healing in Central and Southern Africa, ngoma is fully investigated here for the first time and interpreted in a contemporary context. John Janzen's daring study incorporates drumming and spirit possession into a broader, institutional profile that emphasizes the varieties of knowledge and social forms and also the common elements of "doing ngoma. "Drawing on his recent field research in Kinshasa, Dar-es-Salaam, Mbabane, and Capetown, Janzen reveals how ngoma transcends national and social boundaries. Spoken and sung discourses about affliction, extended counseling, reorientation of the self or household, and the creation of networks that link the afflicted, their kin, and their healers are all central to ngoma-and familiar to Western self-help institutions as well. Students of African healing and also those interested in the comparative and historical study of medicine, religion, and music will find Ngoma a valuable and thought-provoking book.

Contents:

Front matter

Contents

Figures

Photographs

Preface

Introduction

1. Settings and Samples in African Cults of Affliction

2. Identifying Ngoma

3. Core Features in Ngoma Therapy

4. Doing Ngoma

5. How Ngoma Works

6. How Ngoma Works

Conclusion

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 219-234) and index.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 24. Apr 2020)

ISBN:

9786612356407

9781282356405

1282356402

9780520910850

0520910850

9780585129327

0585129320

OCLC:

630528055