S Afr Med J. 1991 Jun; 79(11): 677-8.

Innovative medicine--a case study of a modern healer.

Simon C.

Department of Anthropology, University of Transkei, Umtata.

African healing is widely regarded as inflexible and unchanging. By way of a case study, it is suggested that this is no longer the reality. Instead, the healer emerges as highly innovative in his quest to attract a steady clientele. A Xhosa healer, who borrows numerous medical items and symbols from his Western counterparts, is described.