of traditional and western healing wisdom. The therapy managers (kinsmen) use
both western and traditional methods to pinpoint what is wrong with their family
member. If their family member is referred to a western doctor, the Kinsmen have
to be consulted first, before the patient. Also, the kinsmen are constantly around the
patient, this is something western doctors have to come to terms with. Kinsmen use
their knowledge of western medicine and of traditional healing to assist their family
members.
In conclusion, amongst the Bakongo, traditional healing is very important.
In some cases Bakongo healers have successfully merged traditional medicine
with western medicine. Bakongo wellness is preserved by maintaining a healthy
community. Healing brings people together, not only because illnesses are believed
to affect the entire community, but also because the process of healing requires the
assistance of the whole community.
Works Cited
Akoto, K.A. & Akoto, A.N. (2005) African cosmology. In: & Mazma, A. The
Encyclopedia of Black Studies. Thousands Oaks. CA: Sage Publications.
Bunseki, F. (2001) African cosmolgy of the Bântu Kôngo: Tying the spiritual knot
principles of life & living. Canada: Athelia Henrietta Press.
Hersak, D. (2001) There Are Many Kongo Worlds: Particularities of Magico-
Religious Beliefs Among the Vili and Yombe of Congo-Brazzaville.
Journal of Sociology and Anthropology, 614-640.
Janzen, J. M. (1978). The Quest of Therapy in Lower Zaire. Berkeley: University
of California Press
Healing in the BaKongo Culture 33
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Imhotep Journal, Volume 7, May 2010
Yoruba Traditional Healing
By MacKenna Lynn
Traditional healing is any practice of holistic medicine in the tradition of
a specific culture or ethnic group. In the African context, the goal of traditional
healing is to restore order, harmony and balance among individuals and in an entire
community. Traditional medicine is a combination of knowledge and practices
used to diagnose, prevent, treat and eliminate physical, mental, spiritual or social
imbalances (Offiong, 1999). Traditional healing methods are drawn from practical
experience and observations handed down from generation to generation (Adekson,
2003). The Yoruba people make up one of many ethnic groups in Africa who actively
practice traditional healing. Yoruba people are generally from the South West region
of Nigeria, but they are also located in Benin and Northern Togo and throughout
the region. At the turn of the 21st century Yoruba people numbered over 20 million,
making the Yoruba one of the three largest ethnic groups in Nigeria (Encyclopedia
Britannica, 2009). Recognizing the structure and processes of Yoruba traditional
medicine is essential in understanding its significance to Yoruba culture as a whole.
This analysis will identify and describe Yoruba traditional healing, it’s significance
to Yoruba culture and it’s relation to the study of the African personality.
The Role of the Traditional Healer in Yoruba Culture
Traditional healers are individuals who specialize in establishing
psychological, social, emotional, spiritual and overall holistic health (Adekson, 2003).
Traditional healers play an important role in Yoruba culture by providing a socially
and historically conscious approach to maintaining order and harmony among their
people. The presence of traditional healers is also very significant to the Yoruba
people because they are the most highly accessed source of health care for 80- 90% of
34 Imhotep Journal
the population (Offiong, 1999). Traditional healers are important in maintaining the
identity of Yoruba people because the healer is aware and respectful of their culture
and environment during treatment. Traditional healers serve the Yoruba community
in a variety of different roles including; medical practitioner, psychiatrist, pharmacist,
counselor, mediator, justice of the peace and interventionist (Ng, 2003). Traditional
healers’ ability to fulfill such a variety of needs in the population makes them a vital
contributor to the preservation and development of the Yoruba culture as a whole.
Knowledge of Ifa System of Divination Essential to Practice of Yoruba Traditional
Healers
The traditional healers have specific knowledge and understanding of the
Yoruba culture and the healing practices crucial to maintaining order and harmony
among their people. The practice of traditional healing begins with the Babalawo.
The Babalawo is a priest of Ifa, the Yoruba deity of divination (Adekson, 2003).
Divination is the attempt to gain insight into a question or situation by way of a
systematic, spiritual procedure, or ritual (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2009). Yoruba
divination is a communication with the Deities or Orisas, which are each unique
manifestations of God, Olodumare (Adekson, 2003). Orunmila is the Orisa of
wisdom, prophecy and ethics that reflect the word of Oludumare. Orunmila is
especially concerned with the maintenance of culture, health and the well being of
the people and is particularly important in the process of traditional healing. Esu is
the Orisa that serves Orunmila and is responsible for interpreting and conveying
messages of a spiritual realm to humans. Some of the other Orisas important to
Yoruba culture are Ogun, Shango, Yemaja and Obatala (Rinne, 2001). The role of
the Bablalawo is essentially interpreting the sacred wisdom and characteristics of
Ifa, and communicating with the
Orisa in order to determine current and future
challenges along with their solutions.
The process of communication between the Babalawo and the Deities,
called Ifa divination, is important in identifying illnesses and their treatments. The
performing of Ifa divination is called Dida Owo and can only be carried out by the
Babalawo. The physical divination system may include a divination tray made of
Yoruba Traditional Healing 35