Healing in an African context

In many African languages, as in Middle English, ‘health’ meant the absence of disease, prosperity and social well-being. It did not refer mainly, or even primarily, to a physical state but indicated a normal state of being. Healing was the process, not so much of restoring health, rather of finding the cause of its loss, enabling the restoration of the victim to his or her former state. The connection between this form of healing and traditional religion lay in the existence of numerous possible spiritual causes of illness, misfortune or accidents. While African religions showed many similar beliefs – in ancestors, who might be angered, or spirits offended – their differences resulted in there being many minority religions. In addition, sorcery or witchcraft used by individuals one had angered, by malicious witches or supplied by evil magicians, were diagnosed almost everywhere as the cause of affliction. Sufferers might have their own ideas of the cause, but often it was necessary to consult an expert. While links with spiritual belief systems were universal, conflict within social relations in a community might also hold the possibility of disturbing the health of individuals.