Religion and Medicine of the GA People – M J Field

Description

Dr Field is not concerned with disentangling cultural elements that appear
to have clustered in this region as a result of steady pressure of population toward
the coast. Neither is the research functional in the sense of selecting one or more
pivotal traits with a view to showing how the social and religious life are oriented.
The dissertation is rather psychological, for the author is inspired by the question
“HOW do these institutions look to Africans?” She despairs, however, of answering
such a question satisfactorily, and describes her observations as a “sheaf of byproducts.” In this statement she errs on the side of modesty, for the abundance of
her factual material, and the clear presentation indicate that she gleaned something more important than mere by-products.
The book is divided into three main sections, the first of which deals with public worship and the priesthood in six localities, including Accra. The second section
is entitled “The Principles and Practice of Medicine” which includes an illuminating discussion of the subject of witchcraft. The third division, which is concerned
with “Ceremonies of Everyday Life,” is what many authors have referred to as
the “life cycle.” The subdivision dealing with pregnancy and childbirth customs
contributes valuable data to the subject of naming and its association with beliefs
in reincarnation. Treatment of twins, attitudes toward idiots, and the cult of the
third child offer some original material and new points of view. The data assembled under a heading “The Cult of the Dead” deal mainly with the observed
procedure during obsequies. The philosophical side dealing with the fate of the
soul, or the possible existence of multiple souls with different destinies, is lightly
touched upon.
In her preface the author states that she deliberately refrained from reading
earlier accounts of the Ga people, notably one by A. B. Ellis, as she wished to
remain unhampered by preconceived ideas. The advantage of remaining unbiased
and of being unaffected by observations and opinions of others, is obvious; yet
there is another side to the question. Previous reading and discussion on a proposed subject of investigation, for example the abstruse problem of witchcraft,
should give an investigator an awareness and a sensitiveness to the subject. The
research worker so equipped may discover some data that an unprepared mind
might overlook.
A writer who has done so much as Dr Field in the collation of raw material
may feel that the onus of further research lies with the reader of her monograph.
One cannot help feeling, however, that Dr Field’s labors need supplementing in at
least two directions. It is true that she gives us a glimpse of the cultural conflicts
of Europeans and Africans, but this is en passant, and an expansion of the subject
so briefly described (pp. 131-33) would be of the greatest practical importance as
an exercise in applied anthropology. Here and there reference is made to the records
of earlier observers; but there now remains the task of assessing the new culture
against the old, as described by Ellis half a century ago. To have such a background is extremely fortunate, as Dr L. P. Mair showed in using the data of Roscoe
as a basis for the study of cultural change among the Baganda.
Hardcover book. Internally clean, free from any ink inscriptions. Dust wrapper fairly goo, in a protective cellophane cover for extra protection. Binding very tight, overall most pleasing. This is a reprint of the first edition published in 1937 with a new preface. Please see OUR OWN photograph of this book for quality control. Indeed a good solid copy. This price includes shipping to Europe ONLY valid up until 30th April 2022