Product Description
The rich traditions of myth, ritual, performance, and worship that are integral to popular medicine in Bali are central themes in this study by Hobart (medical anthropology, Goldsmiths’ College of London U., UK). Based on ten years of research in Bali, descriptions of the specific practices of indiv… More >>
Healing Performances of Bali: Between Darkness and Light
With massive globalization concepts such as sex, gender, race, healing practices and medical anthropology are being re-examinated. Global and local societies throughout the world are called upon to redefine the way they are culturally constructed. The result of the North Americanization of the world has left an impact on healing and religious practices in Bali. Although Bali has been drawn into the process of globalization, the people seem to have remained remarkably genuine; at the same time they are conscious of change and modernization. In other words, Balinese have retained a certain pristine approach to life.
Dr. Angela Hobart’s book is a contribution to medical anthropology as the research focuses on the healing processes in Bali, an island in the South Pacific. It may appear as if Bali is remote for people who live in the West and the Americas. Yet I would like to share with the reader my perception after reading the book that there are many parallels and particularities between the continents. The book highlights the complexity of the Balinese healing system which is politically and socially constructed and linked to power relations.
The book is composed of seven chapters. It is neither dense nor difficult to read. Throughout the book, the author gives insight into the particularities of the local culture underlying the healing processes, as well as the aesthetics associated with them, or perhaps more aptly experienced together with healing in Bali. I would like to suggest that book focus on how the Balinese people heal; how do they construct health, sickness, good or evil. In line with this, the reader is asked to reflect on the peoples holistic vision of life – a vision in which body, soul, nature, life and death are united.
This book is written after years of deep research on the island. Balinese culture is complex, holistic and extremely paradoxical, especially when compared with the Judaic-Christian medical, predominantly Cartesian system of the West. Dr. Angela Hobart explores in depth different ways of healing in Balinese society and the Hindu, Buddhist and animist historical background of the traditional medical system. The book guides the reader into the multi-dimensional healing practices found on the island. In so doing the study explores the spiritual dimension of healing, the interweaving of light and shadows inherent in the healing practices that include masks, rituals and witchcraft. Throughout the holistic vision of life is emphasized which implies, for example, that a person is potentially ambivalent – both evil and virtuous. Body and soul are not split from one another as conceived by most Westerns!
According to Dr. Angela Hobart there are different types of folk healers in Bali: the main ones being spirit mediums, scholarly healers and sorcerers. In the West we have psychologists, psychiatrists and MD doctors. These scientifically trained practitioners have senior positions in the medical hierarchy. In Bali folk healers are still greatly respected. In other words, Balinese healers do not adhere to a positivistic scientific framework. Dr. Hobart explores the role of village healers and ritual performances in the society, with special reference to the belief system of the people.
I myself found this book was precious in helping me to understand many aspects of healing practices in Brazil. The plurality and singularity of the indigenous voices that come to the fore in South America are in some ways similar to those in Bali. This is evidenced in the numerous mediums who work in Brazil and the overwhelming belief of the people in spirits.
The book also contains a wide-range of pictures carefully selected of healers and some landscape scenes in black and white and color. There is also an exquisite selection of healers’ drawings used in healing.
I recommend highly this book for postgraduate and undergraduate students of psychology, anthropology and cultural studies. But, it is a must for psychotherapists, art-therapists, dance-therapists, and for general research into alternative or folk medicine. It is a handbook which compiles essential, useful and up-to-date information on medical anthropology in Indonesia. Finally this book helps one to understand how human beings live and construct their worlds in societies which are not affected by obsessive positivistic Western paradigms.
By Joe Oliver
London 2006
Rating: 5 / 5
As far as I know this is the first book of its kind. It is a study of the traditional healers whom we in Bali do not often speak about but all visit from time to time. I met Dr Angela Hobart on one of her many trips here and was delighted to learn that she speaks High Balinese. This is rare for a Westerner as it is not an easy language. It is, however, a vital attribute to carry out research into this arcane area properly.
There are many types of traditional healers in Bali, who are mostly consulted at times of illness or trouble. They are a bridge between the seen and the unseen worlds and are highly esteemed by us. Whereas Western trained doctors cure illnesses from natural causes, traditional healers or `balian’ cure illnesses from supernatural causes. They communicate with the spirits of the unseen world through trance.
They are also consulted on the causes of family problems. We believe that such matters have specific causes and the balian can ascertain them. Angela Hobart sets out a number of case studies and explains the rituals and mechanisms at work. She also examines the wider healing processes of whole villages through a discussion of the roles of the Barong and Randa masked figures during religious ceremonies.
Balian advise how to rectify mental or physical problems. There is no conflict between the work of a balian and a scientifically trained doctor. If we suspect our illness has been caused by the unseen world, we go to a balian and if we suspect it comes from the seen world, we go to a doctor. As Angela Hobart points out, they refer patients to each other. She sets out a table of their separate roles.
Balian often prescribe herbal medicines, provide amulets for the patient to wear and hand out protective drawings with sacred syllables on them. Angela Hobart says that knowledge about traditional medicine is dying out. It is a lot easier to go to the pharmacy and get a pill than make up concoctions of roots and leaves mixed with egg white and honey.
Many people are sceptical about traditional healers but balian do have successes. Patients believe in them and that goes a long way. Angela Hobart explains that they can shift a patient’s consciousness and change his attitudes, so that he engages more fully with his family, enemies and community. After a session the patient or victim of bad luck sees things differently. He’s on his way to being cured. She gives various examples of successful treatments.
Even in the West placebos work in mysterious ways in curing various illnesses. A person’s beliefs and hopes about a treatment can have a significant biochemical effect. It seems to be a case of mind over molecules. Changed behaviour and attitudes, how one feels, and how one acts, can even affect one’s body chemistry.
I am pleased that Angela Hobart has written this interesting book and highlighted the balian’s role in Bali. Few tourists who see the lion-like Barong parade through Balinese villages to the sounds of the gamelan orchestra appreciate the forces at stake, but if they read this book, they will. I also hope that it is read by those who may be able to support the role of the balian in Balinese society.
Murni
Ubud, Bali
Rating: 5 / 5