EAN: 9783631587171

TROUBLED MINDS - ARNE S STEINFORTH KARTONIERT (TB)

Every society has its own definition of a normal and an abnormal human condition. For persons
living with mental disorders  these concepts have a tremendous impact. This study investigates
how the abnormal mind is culturally defined in Mala i  South-Eastern Africa. Based on
anthropological techniques such as interviews  participant observation  and archive research 
it explores the different social dimensions of mental disorder - e.g. its reflection in
traditional dance rituals  in behavioural rules during pregnancy  or in the healing ministry of
independent churches. It demonstrates how local explanations of mental disorder - be it
witchcraft  an angry ancestor  or the will of God - determine the social acceptance of an
affected person's condition. Recent processes of cultural change  however  strengthen the
pluralism of Mala ian religious landscape  opening the local debate to an ever wider range of
interpretations.

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