A glimpse at the use of music in traditional medicine among the Bantu: a case of healing among the Bemba speaking people of Zambia

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Periodical article

Title:	A glimpse at the use of music in traditional medicine among the Bantu: a case of healing among the Bemba speaking people of Zambia
Author:	Mapoma, Mwesa I.
Year:	1988
Periodical:	Muntu: revue scientifique et culturelle du CICIBA
Issue:	8
Pages:	117-123
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Zambia
Subjects:	Bemba traditional medicine music
Abstract:	Rhythm in music acts as an essential medicament. In Africa it intervenes in the rites of possession, diagnosis, the examination of the sick, the treatment of illness and the restoration of health. Amongst the Bemba of Zambia music is conceptualized as inherently pure and therefore the most appropriate mode for communicating with God. As part of traditional healing, music is used to induce a state of trance to establish a channel of communication with the spirit world for medical information, such as the identification of a disease, how to cure it and with what medication. Bibliogr., sum. in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.