ART IN ETHNOMEDICINE: A Case Study of Juogi in Western Kenya

Art is related to medicine. This work examines the tradition and heritage of the Luo people of Western Kenya and how they apply artistic creativity in their healing practices. It examines how myths, legends and folk narratives are employed in the administration of herbal medicine to the patient and because of their belief systems, the patient recovers. In some cases, there are no herbs involved, but the medicinemen totally rely on the myths to psyche their patients to overcome their illness. Traditional healing seeks to restore order in a world of disorder created by illness. This is why healing is timed to seasons and cycles of nature. Traditional healing is an artistic performance, which entails use of dramatic elements such as mine, costumes, stagecraft and spatial exploitation among others. Most traditional healers rely on well-known myths and legends to claim their powers. The healers use the sites of these myths and legends as healing shrines.