Keeping the feet of the gods and the saints warm: mundane pragmatics in times of suffering and uncertainty.
In this article the author writes about mundane pragmatics, or everyday deeds, in times of suffering and uncertainty. Such pragmatics differ from cultural practices such as biomedical therapies or individual health-seeking behaviour patterns. Medical anthropologists and others working in the field of health and illness often overlook such pragmatics. However, these actions are of great social value and express the connectedness and bonds between people. They also express our deep beliefs, hopes, powerlessness and vulnerability.
a Medical Anthropologist , University of Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
Els
E
van Dongen
belonging; illness; magic; mundane pragmatics