Mental Disorders and Traditional Healing Systems Among the Dogon (Mali, West Africa)

Based on research at the Regional Center of Traditional Medi cine of Bandiagara (Mali), this paper outlines characteristics of the Dogon systems of traditional health care, with particu lar reference to mental disorders. After considering the characteristics of some therapeutic figures (diviners, healers, etc.) and discussing the major nosologic categories inherent in mental disorders, the role of a complementary (semantic, hermeneutic) approach is emphasized together with the need to correlate the use and social significance of nosologic and therapeutic ritual categories with present cultural changes.