Summary
In this thirteenth chapter of the DVD "Recoveries" featuring 18 short films on illness, care and the caregiver-patient relationship, Laurence Pourchez, anthropologist, is interested in the specific care path in Reunion Island where traditional knowledge is associated with medicine.
The anthropologist explains the specific nature of the multi-faceted therapeutic approach where each practitioner has a very specific field of action. The patient can turn to many practitioners (priest, herbalist, diviner, Chinese medicine ) when medical healthcare does not meet their expectations. She takes as an example the diseases "that the doctor does not know" or the so-called "arranged diseases"...
Then, she approaches the sacred aspect that is closely linked to these therapies. She discusses "the pass" (sleight of hand), i.e. gestures accompanied by ritual formulas to optimize recipes, or "making a promise" which, in the case of serious or chronic diseases, implies patient participation in rituals. She analyzes this practice as a global management of the disease (personal, religious, ritual and social treatment).
Film extracts (rituals, treatments, plant picking, divination and faith healing) illustrate her discussions.
The anthropologist explains the specific nature of the multi-faceted therapeutic approach where each practitioner has a very specific field of action. The patient can turn to many practitioners (priest, herbalist, diviner, Chinese medicine ) when medical healthcare does not meet their expectations. She takes as an example the diseases "that the doctor does not know" or the so-called "arranged diseases"...
Then, she approaches the sacred aspect that is closely linked to these therapies. She discusses "the pass" (sleight of hand), i.e. gestures accompanied by ritual formulas to optimize recipes, or "making a promise" which, in the case of serious or chronic diseases, implies patient participation in rituals. She analyzes this practice as a global management of the disease (personal, religious, ritual and social treatment).
Film extracts (rituals, treatments, plant picking, divination and faith healing) illustrate her discussions.
