FROM THE SUITCASE--Oliha Yiwama

“Come to me, my love...”

African medicine is a really in-depth practice that includes not only the physical, but the spiritual, psychological, emotional, and mental aspects of the individual and community. Each aspect also includes use of herbal and ritual methods of medicine. I have touched upon traditional African medicine in earlier columns, but the realm of African medicine is vast.

One of the categories of traditional African medicine I like to approach is Compelling Medicine. In general, in traditional African thought, a native doctor, through understanding the physical application of medicines, believes that a person can be controlled, or compelled to perform or restrained from doing a number of activities. Probably the most famous of the compelling medicines are the ones that will make a lover or potential lover fall head-over-heels with the person using the medicine. Those that draw money are equally popular.

Africans have been using advanced forms of science for many generations, before Western medicines attained similar concepts. For instance, in many love medicines or potions, some part of the potential lover's DNA material is required, whether bodily fluids, hair, or a piece of one of their garments. Although not used for love medicines, Western science now recognizes the concept and value of DNA's unique combination in one particular person, and its ability to identify that person.

Well, Africans were aware of that general scientific concept for centuries! Personal DNA, mixed with herbal, mineral and animal ingredients, usually along with an incantation used to spark or enhance the potency is the method employed to attract love and money.

Probably the most famous place where compelling medicines have made their mark is in Nigeria. Ads by native doctors who possess compelling medicine are frequent, and the clients who use compelling medicine are more frequent than the ads.

Although Nigeria may be well known for its compelling medicines, love and money are the preoccupation of the world. People go to soothsayers, seers, prophets, priests, clergy, and their mothers to find ways to bring love and money--which are often related!

Love and money-compelling medicines also made their way to the Americas via West Africans. Here they go by a variety of names: gris-gris, hand, mojo hand, jomo, root bag, luck hand, conjure bag, toby, savon patchuoli soap, money drawing candles, etc. For the love of money!

Compelling medicines have been tried and tested for centuries, and still find their place during this modern era. Well, you be the judge. Love and money drawing medicines will soon be sold at the Iyawo store on Saminaka. See ya there!