Diagnostic Procedures Of The Iban Manang (UM Press)

Download or read book Diagnostic Procedures Of The Iban Manang (UM Press) written by Roland Werner and published by The University of Malaya Press. This book was released on with total page 153 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This part deals with diagnostic procedures of body/soul and predictions. Soul-wandering and soul-catching within the longhouse are demonstrated by various illustrations, involving the concepts of spiritual transformation of longhouse structures into various physical counterparts/ mortars/bolders, pillars/nibong palm, ruai/seashore and finally the “waterfall, as last barrier before the “Bridge of Fright” which leads to “the world of the dead”. The native concept of the soul and soul-wandering is combined with an overview of history of the soul-concept of different cultures. Principles and procedures of the “seeing-stone”/batu karas/ilau/quartz are followed by experiments of optic partition of the quartz-crystal. The diagnostic ritual of mayang pinang, analyzing the flower bud of areca catechu, is one way to disclose the prospects of healing. Planting a pentik (betanam pentik) is divining the fate of a sick. Another procedure of divining the fate of a sick person is bebayan (making a bayan/ monitor lizard). Pig’s liver reading is the final stage of the traditional pig-killing ritual which is demonstrated step by step. A comparative study of traditional and modern pig-killing reveals the conceptional, anatomical, pathohistological, technical and diagnostic differences of tradition and modernity. Palpation and massage-procedures are presented with numerous detailed illustrations. Finally attention is drawn to traditional procedure by which so called “tiny stones” are massaged to the surface of the skin. A scientific study dealing with various forms of calcification of the skin (calcinosis cutis) explains the topographical realities of such “tiny skin stones”.