The Healing Performance: The Medical Clown as Compared to African! Kung and Azande Ritual Healers

Abstract

The medical clown, the dramatherapist, the traditional healer and the witchdoctor each conduct a dramatic, theatrical healing performance with the objective of healing the ill in their community. Their healing ability lies in their capacity of being intermediaries between different worlds, between chaos and order, and between the factors which caused and accelerated the illness and healing and mental powers. Each healer, using his own unique practice embodied in the perception of reality in their community, facilitates accessibility to healing powers to benefit those who are ill. The current article compares and analyzes the healing performances.

Saving Costs for Hospitals Through Medical Clowning: A Study of Hospital Staff Perspectives on the Impact of the Medical Clown

“…1-7 In this paramedical practice, clowns are integrated into health care teams to mitigate stress, loneliness, fear, and helplessness in hospitalized patients. 4,6-13 Using humor, games, and improvisation, medical clowns create a more positive atmosphere and trust between the health care team and the patient. 5,7,13,14 Previous studies have demonstrated a significant positive effect of medical clowns on preoperative and postoperative anxiety, self-reported pain, and in vitro fertilization treatment effectiveness.…”