Source: International Mission Board, February 19, 2018
In the Mampruli language, the word for medicine also means “magic.” In this culture, anything with healing or supernatural powers is considered to be or have tiim. When westerners first showed up and offered suffering patients small white pills that relieved pain, they were called “magic.” The only word for pharmacist in the local language—tiimdaana—means the “magic guy” when translated literally. Every time I prescribe medication to patients in the local language, I have to tell them to go buy some “magic” (tiim) from the “magic guy” (tiimdaana).
West African healers often tout the fact that their cures are “all-natural.” It’s true that they know of many roots, barks, and leaves with legitimate curative properties. But in practice, mixing those ingredients into medicine is usually accompanied by a sacrifice to ancestral spirits. If the cure fails to work, it’s not seen as the fault of the local healer or the medicine but a failure of the patient or family caretaker to appease the spirits.
» Full story provides some great illustrations of what happens when cultures clash and tips for Christian doctors serving in contexts with similar traditional healing practices.
» See also Witch Doctor Pastors Selling “Miracles” Contrary to Teaching of Jesus (Global Christian News). This month the Global Prayer Digest is all about West Africa. Subscribe here.