Diviners and Diagnosticians in The Gambia: Psychological Functions and Traditional Healers
Lamin Sidibeh
Volume 14, Number 1 (2025) 14 (1): 5-12
Keywords Traditional Medicine, Indigenous Knowledge, Healthcare Systems, Mental Health, Cultural Values, Primary Health Care, Psychological Functions, Traditional Healers, The Gambia, Client-Healer Relationships, Diviners, Diagnosticians, Psychological Functions of Traditional Healers, Integration of Traditional and Modern Medicine, Treatment of Mental Disorders, Cultural Influence in Therapy, Mental Health Policy and Sustainable Management, Power and Representation in Teacher Development
Abstract
The role and functions of traditional healers in Africa are often misconceived in the modern world. Even in literature, it is not uncommon to find expressions such as “irrational mystery,” “miracle,” or “lack of scientific validation.” Evidently there are misconceptions attributable to a lack of understanding of the context in which local healers apply traditional medicine in service of the physical and psychological needs of communities.
Therefore, this article provides some basic explanation to this apparent lack of understanding. The vital role of traditional healing is an indispensable and complementary component of modern health care system in The Gambia (Africa). It argues that traditional healing is part and parcel of The Gambia’s (and Africa more broadly) development resource but not adequately appropriated. Research and documentation in traditional medicine and healing approaches will enhance understanding and the recognition that it deserves.
Lamin Sidibeh
Published August 13, 2025
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
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