Indigenous Medicine Among the Bedouin in the Middle East

Aref Abu-Rabia

Published by Berghahn Books 2015

Indigenous Medicine Among the Bedouin in the Middle East

Aref Abu-Rabia

https://doi.org/10.1515/9781782386902

Overview
Contents

About this book

Modern medicine has penetrated Bedouin tribes in the course of rapid urbanization and education, but when serious illnesses strike, particularly in the case of incurable diseases, even educated people turn to traditional medicine for a remedy. Over the course of 30 years, the author gathered data on traditional Bedouin medicine among pastoral-nomadic, semi-nomadic, and settled tribes. Based on interviews with healers, clients, and other active participants in treatments, this book will contribute to renewed thinking about a synthesis between traditional and modern medicine — to their reciprocal enrichment.

Author / Editor information

Aref Abu-Rabia is an Anthropologist at the Department of Middle East Studies at Ben-Gurion University. His research and publications focus on the Middle East, North Africa and Islamic communities in the West.

Reviews

“Aref Abu-Rabia provides us with rich knowledge that rests on a wide-ranging literature dealing with Islam and the history of the Bedouins of the Middle East, as well as on anthropological studies conducted by other scholars and on findings accumulated during the author’s extensive fieldwork over a period of 30 years. His impressive knowledge of the subject is demonstrated by the rich list of sources.” • Medical Anthropology Quarterly

“This fascinating book meets multiple needs of integrative medicine practitioners, herbalists, faith healers, and a useful reminder of Bedouin healing practices in the Middle East. It is a must read by anthropologists, medical historians, traditional, and phytomedicine practitioners.” • Saudi Medical Journal

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
List of Illustrations Publicly Available Download PDF	xii
Preface Publicly Available Download PDF	xiv
Acknowledgements Publicly Available Download PDF	xvi
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
Chapter 1 Health and Health Services among the Bedouin in the Middle East Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	17
Chapter 2 The Treatment of Human Ailments Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	61
Chapter 3 General Treatments Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	160
Chapter 4 “Don’t Touch My Body” The Qarina and Bedouin Women’s Fertility Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	170
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	187
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	211