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Tara Kelly
Cameroon
February 2004
Oku-Woman
I was welcomed back to Oku, Cameroon after a five-year absence by the heavy October rains and the familiar faces of friends and acquaintances. During my last stay, I assisted with an ecological and ethnobotanical project-now I am performing independent research on the traditional healing of female reproductive disorders in Oku. The adjustment was much different this time, as I am no longer assisting, but directing, the research procedures. The primary researcher is met with more respect, and simultaneously more curiosity, from the community.
Initially, I worked repeatedly with traditional healers to question and discuss the names and symptoms of common reproductive disorders, as well as the physical, metaphysical and social causes of reproductive problems. In this culture, reproductive disorders are primarily caused by the commission of taboo behaviors, such as the killing of sacred insects, or performance of certain forbidden activities while on one's menses. Other reproductive disorders may be caused by the infliction of witchcraft upon a woman by an angered or jealous acquaintance or family member.
Currently I am documenting the individual plants and plant combinations used for herbal treatments. I also am witnessing and recording the detailed healing procedures carried out by traditional healers. Most of the treatments for reproductive disorders include the reading of sorcery, washing the woman's body with herbs and water, transferring the evil or sickness from the woman's body to that of a chicken and giving herbal medicine to the woman for internal consumption.
Within the strong tradition of Oku, medicine is an important and private practice. I have occasionally experienced difficulties in communicating my desire to study medicine in order to understand and not practice the system of healing. Usually, when I explain the difference between Oku flora and healing traditions and the flora and healing practices of my own country, my intentions become more comprehensible.
My intention is to present Oku medicine with focus and clarity on its botanical and ritualistic elements. I am challenging the idea that African medicine (Oku specifically) is purely herbalistic. Oku medicine is ancient, detailed, systematic and multi-dimensional.
I believe it is very possible to develop open and communicative relationships with the people of Cameroon. It is, however, important that any interacting person or culture be respectful, honest, and non-exploitative.
There is a general misconception here that all Americans are incredibly wealthy. Though Americans admittedly do have more liberties and opportunities, I am always trying to correct the misconception. When even the less fortunate in Cameroon are offered opportunities, and when schooling becomes an easier endeavor to complete, these misconceptions will dissipate.
My favorite days are those where community members call me an Oku-Woman, indicating their appreciation of my interest and respect in their culture, language and traditions. My lesser favorite days are where I am identified purely by the color of my skin.
Oku is a beautiful place with an incredible preservation of both nature and tradition. I am in the heart of an actively practiced system of healing. I look forward to the things I will learn and experience over the next five months with my Fulbright grant.
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