Abstract
In this chapter Jones extends her discussion on the relevance of community relationships. She explains that her interview participants have identified a number of stakeholders who they would like more support from, or at least greater collaboration with. These relate to; the church, the Forest Department, and their associated organisations, and the public health service. Where interview participants have aligned their responses with the aims of these stakeholders, Jones draws the conclusion that they are seeking more direct support and greater recognition for their activities. She notes the type of stakeholder language used when discussing these issues, like ‘community capacity building’. Jones also discusses the healer’s relationship with time, their need to pass their knowledge on and the ways in which they do this.
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Notes
- 1.
- 2.
The main ethnic groups in the area are the Mang’anga, Lomwe and Yao.
- 3.
Ryson did not elaborate on his use of the term “tree healers” but I interpreted it to mean those (traditional) healers who use trees and other plant medicines in their practices.
- 4.
Muula and Maseko (2005) note that when medical professionals attend meetings, workshops, seminars and conferences in community setting aimed at improving training and enhancing relationships, they receive an allowance. Interview participants did not disclose whether they received a similar payment for attending the capacity building workshops they were referring to.
- 5.
At the time of fieldwork, Dr Phiri Gangire was the president of HAM, the Herbalist Association of Malawi (Phungwako 2006), based in Kasungu district.
- 6.
Charles used the example of Ntcheu, only 190 kilometres to the north of Mulanje to indicate that practices can differ considerably, even over relatively short distances.
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Jones, T. (2018). Community Relationships. In: Raising the Dust. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-8420-1_5
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