الطب الشعبي في محافظة معان : التمثلات الاجتماعية و أشكال الممارسة : مقاربة أنثروبولوجية

Abstract EN

folk medicine in the governorate of Maan: the social representations and forms of practice T his study aims at investigating the social representations related to folk medicine in the governorate of Maan, the most important forms of practice of folk medicine in terms of its natural and unseen aspects, and the main features of stability and change of these traditional practices.

The study used the anthropological methodology through the use of theoretical frameworks and the tools of data collection in cultural and social anthropology in order to reach a scientific knowledge of the topic through direct and indirect observation, and thorough interviews with the informers who have the knowledge and experience in folk medicine and practitioners of it.

The results revealed that the folk medicine in the governorate of Maan is still acceptable and practicable, particularly the natural practices that depend on the use of herbs and wild plants.

Aspects of change are noticed in the practices which have features related to the unseen, and this includes in particular the visit of shrines and tombs of righteous people in order to get blesses.

Nevertheless, there are practices, secret and on a very small scale in certain societies in the study area, use the mythology to treat the health problems caused by the envy eye.

The social representations reflected the value and existence of folk medicine, and the great deal of confidence the practitioners have in their societies despite the variation of the minor cultural environments and the different educational and economic levels of individuals in the study society.