Traditional pharmacopoeias and medicines among Albanians and Italians in southern Italy: a comparison.
Andrea Pieroni, Cassandra L Quave
Journal of Ethnopharmacology October 3, 2005 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2005.04.028 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-cultural comparative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Two communities in Lucania, inland southern Italy: Ginestra/Zhurë (ethnic Albanians who migrated in the 15th century) and Castelmezzano (autochthonous South Italians) |
| Key points | The authors report that traditional natural remedies in Ginestra/Zhurë numbered only half those in Castelmezzano's folk pharmacopoeia, while ritual magic-healing practices still play a central role among the Albanians of Ginestra/Zhurë but not in Castelmezzano. They discuss reasons for this shift and the components affecting cultural adaptation and transitions among the Albanians. |
Abstract
A cross-cultural comparison of traditional household remedies in primary health care and ritual healing practices in two economically and socio-demographically similar communities in Lucania (inland southern Italy) was considered: Ginestra/Zhurë, inhabited by ethnic Albanians, who migrated to the area during the 15th century, and Castelmezzano, inhabited by autochthonous South-Italians. In Ginestra/Zhurë, the number of traditional natural remedies (mainly derived from local medicinal plants) was only half of that in the local folk pharmacopoeia quoted in Castelmezzano. However, ritual magic-healing practices still play a central role among the Albanians in Ginestra/Zhurë, while they do not in Castelmezzano. Reasons for this shift, as well as components that have affected cultural adaptation phenomena and transitions among the Albanians are discussed.