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See Previous Submission
Tara Kelly
Cameroon
July 2004
Title
My Fulbright research period has just come to an end; in some ways I have become so accustomed to researching that it feels strange not to be writing questionnaires, scanning plants or sitting in smoke- filled rooms with traditional healers. I am pleased with the amount of research I was able to accomplish, as well as the depth I was able to reach with the research participants.
The ten months provided enough time to delve deeply into both the anthropological and botanical sides of my research. My goal was to help create mutual understanding between the healing practices of different cultures; as a result, I spent much of my time with traditional healers in order to better understand the society's views on sickness and health.
For instance, sicknesses are generally rooted in a social imbalance with the family members, ancestors or gods. I took detailed notes on the proceedings of numerous traditional treatments for female fertility problems. One treatment includes using herbs (as would be expected), honoring ancestors, requesting forgiveness from the gods and sacrificing a chicken to the gods and ancestors, as well as the incorporation of sacred objects, and purification and protection of the patient. These healing activities all take place at a location where the gods of the land are residing such as an anthill, spring, or stream.
My assistant and I collected a large number of medicinal plants related to female fertility treatments. I learned the Oku names of the plants, became familiar with their physical features, scanned pictures of the plants, and watched how they were prepared into medicines. I was able to gather many of the plants' scientific names, and will obtain the rest through assistance from a botanist who spent time in the Oku village.
Parts of my research will continue even at home. I am waiting for some of my questionnaires to be mailed back to me from modern medical practitioners in Cameroon, in order to have a more detailed understanding of their stance on traditional medicine. I also will keep in touch with the traditional healers to answer any questions I might come up with in the near future.
Now that I am back home, I plan on preparing for a Masters or Ph.D. program in Medical Anthropology. In the long term, I will use all of this experience to teach at the university level. Until then, I am hoping to do some presentations at my prior university, as well as working on writing an article for applicable journals.
Parts of my time in Cameroon were difficult. There are numerous stereotypes about Americans that are hard to experience firsthand. However, staying in a small village for a long period of time allowed many people to get to know me for who I was rather than letting the stereotypes suggested by my skin color take the lead.
My time in the village meant a great deal to the Oku people. Close to my departure, I was given land along with the palace title "Yaah" meaning Queen Mother of the Fon. My friends' firstborn child now bears my name, and the traditional healers have graduated me in the knowledge of traditional medicine. My interest in traditional medicine has reminded the traditional healers of the importance of their practice. Overall, I have been honored by their openness and acceptance, and I look forward to returning to Cameroon in the future.
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