Art and supernatural protection: a case study of Pampaso

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1989-06-26
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Abstract
This thesis initially gives an account of the Supernatural protective medicines Practiced at Pampaso with to: (a) identifying and examining the role, importance and influence of art in the protective medicine; (b) examine the relationship between the protective arts and the culture of Pampaso; (c) examining the similarities between the arts of supernatural protection at the village and those of other cultures of the world; and (d) investigating whether the medicine is advantageous or harmful to the people. Apart from the preface, acknowledgements, table of content, list of illustrations, appendix, glossary and the bibliography, the thesis presents five chapters. Chapter one introduces the thesis, dealing with the abstract, title explanation and the ethnographical background of the people. Chapter two account for the protection of Pampaso against misfortunes and epidemics, protection of special children like twins and against gun-shots and matchets, ephasizing on the related arts and taboos. Chapters three and four concern the arts of the said protective medicines. Chapter five discusses pertinent issues and concludes the thesis with observations, suggestions us and recommendations. Each chapter begins with an introduction and apart from the glossary, unfamiliar words are explained whilst foot notes and illustrations further clarify the text. The study reveals that protective medicines, including their arts, are closely related to the culture of Panpaso and that role, importance and influence of art in the medicine are profound. However, the many advantages accruing from the practice are out-weighed by courageous disadvantages. For example, though Pampaso people are courageous, relationship is lacking between them end the surrounding villages since the Pampaso citizens are vindictive. Initially, there were general interests and mess-participation in the medicines but today due to Christianity, socio-economic changes, education and acculturation, the practice has waned with its arts. However, both the art and the medicine may decline or expand in future.
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A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Master of Arts in African Art, 1989
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