article

Religious legitimation in the healing practice of an Uyghur preacher: A Field Report from Rural Turpan

Journal of Asian and African studies • (52) • Published In 1996 • Pages: 35-55

By: Wang, Jianxin.

Abstract

This is study of religion and medicine in a Uyghur village. An important aspect of Uyghur religiosity is the belief that the recitation of Quran verses and prayers contain sacred power that any religiously educated person is capable of utilizing. Consequently, healers and religious teachers are addressed by the same honorific. There is a distinction between ordinary and supernatural illnesses. The former have natural causes that can be treated by a doctor in a modern clinic. For the latter, including illnesses due to sorcery, one goes to see a traditional healer. Illness is regarded as part of the spiritual process of religious purification, and medical practices are based on what the Prophet did in his lifetime, such as using protective amulets and carrying out purification rites involving repetitive recitation of the Quran. Attention to cleanliness and health also is part of religious practice.

HRAF PubDate

2023

Region

Asia

Sub Region

Central Asia

Document Type

article

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Ian Skoggard; 2014

Field Date

1993-1995

Coverage Date

1993-1995

Coverage Place

Yar village, Turpan City, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China, People's Republic of China

Notes

Wang Jianxin

Healers are variously indexed as 756 (shamans), 759 (medical personnel) and 793 (priests).

Includes bibliographical references (p. 55)

LCCN

75001539

LCSH

Uighur (Turkic people)