Implications for the use of Indigenous Arts in the Therapeutic Practices of Traditional Priests and Priestesses of Asante Ghana

The research is conducted to ascertain the implications for the use of indigenous arts as traditional priests and priestesses of Asante of Ghana perform their traditional therapeutic functions. This research therefore aims at finding the therapeutic significance of Asante indigenous arts with regards to their diagnostic, preventive, protective and curative implications in the therapeutic practices of traditional priests and priestesses of Asante of Ghana, and subsequent projection of this unique cultural heritage. The population area for the research was Ashanti region of Ghana using the qualitative and quantitative design methods. Primary data were gathered through direct and personal interviews whereas secondary data were collated from various libraries in Ghana to compile the relevant related literature. Using schematic overview of stratified sampling design, the target population was reduced to accessible population by equalization and then by randomization the sample was determined. The researcher employed interviews and observational situations as the instruments for data collection. Naturalistic methods such as unstructured interviewing, general observation and participant observation were the data collection procedures used. At the end of the research, it was discovered that: Traditional therapists of Asante perform integrative functions which first and foremost aims at the restoration of social harmony; and also serves as a social control mechanism. The position of the traditional therapists of Asante of Ghana may be comparable to the positions of the Reverend Minister, the medical Doctor, the Psychotherapist, the Counsellor and the Art Therapist of the West since the ultimate goal in the professions of these personalities is towards a holistic health-care delivery for humanity. The traditional therapy and explanations of the causes of ill health given by the traditional therapists of Asante of Ghana are usually based on what the society has developed and appears to it as a reasonable concept in explaining its therapy and the causes of ill health. The Asante of Ghana has two major categories of deities. The professional functions of traditional priests/priestesses of Asante are based on the requirements of the two categories of deities and on the belief system of the Asante people. In a traditional Asante setting, peoples’ life, regulations of moral conduct, trade and industry, or any other facet of communal organization develops out of a sociological consideration of family stability by addressing its most fundamental expression in the magico-religious view of the people. Traditional priests/priestesses express ideas, emotions, or forms to their numerous patrons by means of manipulating visually acceptable products of creativity which are shaped or selected to enhance their services. It is hereby recommended that: The health services in Ghana need much more of a team approach with greater co-operation between the hospitals and public health services, as well as joint planning with the agriculture and nutrition services, town planning and local government authorities. It is on this team that the traditional therapist might find a place. The traditional practitioner who knows the community well and understands its psychotherapeutic characteristics is expected to make good use of that knowledge in the best interest of the people. There is the need for traditional therapy to play a complementary role in the contemporary setting to allow the traditional therapist assume a more holistic approach using skills derived from his traditional setting. Some traditional priests and priestesses could be utilized in the rural health posts and Clinics under medical supervision to assist patients to cope with some of their anxieties. This might be tried as a pilot project. It is presumed that this will raise a high level of debate on the question of the feasibility of such an attempt. It may be necessary however, to take all diverse views into consideration in order to build an appropriate model.

Source: KNUST