European colonial and religious intrusions in the region transformed, but did not destroy, local medical practices. Perhaps the major transformation since the colonial period and extending into the postcolonial, has been the increasing commercialization of traditional medicine as African healers shift their practices away from group concerns to a focus more concerned with treating the individual. Written in a lucid style, full of vibrant anecdotes, Maynard's book will appeal not only to medical anthropologists and development workers, but also to anyone interested in nonwestern medicine and...

Drawing upon his experiences and knowledge as a professional anthropologist, Kent Maynard takes readers on a sensory journey through the cultures and landscapes of a fascinating and foreign world.