Books by Mats Utas

This policy report locates the structuresthat have local legitimacywhich are available to young sexual abuse survivors in Sierra Leone. To this end, the book discusses a healing complex that comprises a number of overlapping actors, including herbalists, Zoe Mammies (heads of the female secret societies), Mori-men (Muslim healers); Karamokos (Muslim teachers), and Christian pastors. There are three interrelated forms of healing that must take place: medical, psychological and social. Direct medical healing is mainly catered for by the herbalists; psychological healing by the Karamoko/Mori-men; and social healing by churches and Zoe mammies and in the ancestor bush. All play an important role.