Book

Sanapia, Comanche medicine woman

Holt, Rinehart and Winston • New York • Published In 1972 • Pages:

By: Jones, David E..

Abstract

This book is an 'ethnographic portrait' of a Comanche Eagle doctor, or medicine woman. The book 'attempts to describe every aspect of Sanapia's role, including detailed accounts of her ritual behavior, her attitude toward her profession, the paraphernalia she employs, and her function in Comanche society' (p. ix). The book includes a brief history of the Comanche, a short biography of Sanapia, emphasizing her training, the contents of her medical kit and the collection and preparation of the botanical items, ghosts and ghost sickness, witchcraft and the conceptualization of illness, and a conclusion discussing her role in a changing Comanche society. Jones' discussion of ghost sickness and its relation to acculturation and Comanche identity problems is especially interesting.

HRAF PubDate

2000

Region

North America

Sub Region

Plains and Plateau

Document Type

Book

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Martin Malone ; 1979

Field Date

1967-1970

Coverage Date

1895-1972

Coverage Place

Lawton area, southwestern Oklahoma, United States

Notes

David E. Jones

Includes bibliographical references (p. 105-107)

LCCN

73179548

LCSH

Comanche Indians