© 2011 E.E. Ermakova
2011 – № 1 (1)
Key words: ethnographical and folklorist field work, magical practices, magical and medical knowledge, folk medicine, folk healers
Abstract: In this publication the author presents the third part of her book and suggests the readers use it as a basis for the discussion of this type of questionnaires and the working method itself. Publication includes the questionnaire for doctors and other medical staff. Its mission is to complement and expand the understanding of magic-medical practices and their functioning in contemporary society. The editorial board expects doctors to participate in the poll and is looking forward to the scientific methodological discussion based on this publication.
In 2008 under the supervision of V. I. Kharitonova the author published the questionnaire «Traditional magic-medical knowledge» (Novosibirsk: Nauka). At present this publication is the most extensive of all published questionnaires related to magic-medical knowledge.
In this publication the author presents the third part of her book and suggests the readers use it as a basis for the discussion of this type of questionnaires and the working method itself. Publication includes the questionnaire for doctors and other medical staff. Its mission is to complement and expand the understanding of magic-medical practices and their functioning in contemporary society. The editorial board expects doctors to participate in the poll and is looking forward to the scientific methodological discussion based on this publication.
The full questionnaire aims to: 1) prepare the participants of ethnographic and folklore expeditions for field work; 2) assist them in working with informants.
All questions are grouped into several sections and help to reveal: 1) data on the informant and the materials he provided; 2) personal qualities of specialists in magic-medical practice and healing; 3) acquisition of the «gift» (of magic-medical abilities), and also knowledge and skills; 4) peculiarities of incantation and charm ritual; 5) peculiarities of folk medical means; 6) classification of diseases in folk human and animal medicine; 7) peculiarities of folk veterinary and magic related to domestic animals; 8) interaction of folk magic medical knowledge and «official» medicine; 9) interaction of magic medical (healing, medicine) practice and religion/faith.