What is Medicine man?
A '''medicine man''' is a traditional [[Native American]] healer. [[Healing]] was only part of their function. Another part of their role was as guardian of their [[belief]] system, and their [[ritual]]s. A very similar role was played in many other [[mesolithic]] and [[neolithic]] [[Society|societies]], such as pre-modern [[Africa]] and [[New Guinea]].<ref>Huet, Michel & Savary, Claude 1995. ''Africa dances''. London:Thames & Hudson.</ref><ref>Thompson, Robert Farris. 1983. ''Flash of the spirit''. New York: Random House. ISBN 978-0394-50515-2</ref><ref>Watson, Peter 2009. ''Ideas: a history. From fire to Freud'', volume 1. Introduction: The most important ideas in history: some candidates. London: The Folio Society. </ref><ref>González-Wippler, Migene 1990. ''Santería: African magic in Latin America''. 2nd ed. Original Productions. ISBN 0942272048</ref> This person, man or woman, might help cure [[disease|physical]], [[mental illness|mental]], or spiritual health problems. A term such as [[shaman]] or [[witch doctor]] reflects the [[supernatural]] element in such roles. == References == {{reflist}} {{religion-stub}} [[Category:Native Americans]] [[Category:Religious people]] [[Category:Healthcare]]