Authors: Arvilla Payne-Jackson, Mervyn C. Alleyne
ISBN-13: 9789766401238, ISBN-10: 9766401233
Format: Paperback
Publisher: University of the West Indies Press
Date Published: August 2004
Edition: (Non-applicable)
"This pioneering work is multi-disciplinary in approach as it examines the rich folk medicine of Jamaica. Payne-Jackson and Alleyne analyse the historical and linguistic aspects of folk medicine, based on their research, which included extensive fieldwork and interviews. They explore the sociological and ethnological dimensions of common healing and health-preserving practices which rely on Jamaica's rich biodiversity in medicinal and nutritional flora." "As is the case with other aspects of Jamaican traditional culture, Jamaican folk medicine is largely misunderstood and subject to negative pejorative attitudes. This comprehensive study challenges some of the myths and misinformation. Particular attention is paid to cultural transference from Africa and the use of herbs in African-Jamaican religions." The work has an appendix and a glossary as well as a detailed bibliography.
1 | The social historical context : slavery and its aftermath | 14 |
2 | The ethnic dimension | 33 |
3 | African and African-Jamaican religions | 57 |
4 | Aetiology and illness | 79 |
5 | Folk medical practitioners | 104 |
6 | Treatments and health care | 123 |
7 | The nature of healing herbs | 143 |
8 | Conclusion | 181 |
App | Drugstore medicines, Kingston, Jamaica | 190 |