RT Journal Article
T1 Exploring Knowledge about Fang Traditional Medicine: An Informal Health Seeking Behaviour for Medical or Cultural Afflictions in Equatorial Guinea
A1 Jiménez-Fernández, Raquel
A1 Rodriguez-Vazquez, Rocío
A1 Marín-Morales, Dolores
A1 Herráiz-Soria, Elena
A1 Losa-Iglesias, Marta Elena
A1 Becerro De Bengoa Vallejo, Ricardo
A1 Corral-Liria, Inmaculada
AB This study explores a range of informal health-seeking behaviors, including the use ofFang Traditional Medicine (FTM) for medical or cultural afflictions in Equatorial Guinea (EQ), thetherapeutic methods used, the health problems handled, the learning process, traditional medicineuser profiles and the social images of Fang Traditional Healers (FTHs). Ethnography was employedas a qualitative strategy using emic–etic approaches. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with45 individuals, including 6 community leaders, 19 tribal elders, 7 healthcare professionals, 11 FTHsand 2 relatives of traditional healers in 5 districts of EQ. FTM offers a cure for malaria and treatmentsfor reproductive health issues, bone fractures and cultural illnesses. Several methods used to learnFTM are based on empirical observation, and without the need for traditional schooling, unlike withWestern medical professionals: for example, watching a family member, or the spirits or ancestors,can reveal healing knowledge. Materials from forests, including tree barks and plants, and ritualsare used to keep Fang populations healthy; in addition, two rituals known as “osuiñ” and “etoak”(infusions of tree barks with the blood of sacrificed animals) are the most commonly used treatments.In addition, elders and women are the most active consumers of FTM. FTM plays a relevant role incuring medical and cultural afflictions in Fang communities. The informal health-seeking behavioramong the Fang community is conditioned by the explanation model of illness.
PB MDPI
SN 2227-9032
YR 2023
FD 2023-03-09
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/73312
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/73312
LA eng
DS Docta Complutense
RD 6 abr 2025