Visual Arts as Critical Tool for Indigenous Orthopedic Therapy among the Akans of Ghana
Michael Obeng Nyarko
Kumasi Technical University
Thomas Obeng Asare
Kumasi Technical University
Timothy Crentsil
Kumasi Technical University
Solomon Marfo Ayesu
Kumasi Technical University
George Kwame Fobiri
Kumasi Technical University
Abstract
Indigenous orthopaedic therapy often referred to in indigenous circles as bone setting is a specialised branch of traditional medicine which is quite popular among the indigenes in Ghana. Large portions of the Ghanaian population believe that bone setters have the ability and knowledge to cure various types of fractures faster than Western scientific treatment. The study seeks to describe the tools and materials used in indigenous orthopaedic therapy and classifies them into visual art forms. It also aimed at assessing the specific roles visual art plays in the indigenous orthopaedic therapeutic processes. The case study approach under the Qualitative research method was adopted for the study. Observation, and interview were instruments used to collect data from the centre visited. The population for the study comprised orthopaedic centre from an Akan Region of Ghana, patients, and cured patients from the selected indigenous orthopaedic centre. The study revealed that, visual art forms namely body painting, metal sculpture, carving, textiles, and calabash art play significant roles in the treatment processes. It is therefore recommended that the visual art forms employed in the therapy processes be codified, documented, and developed into a manual for art education.
