PhD defence
Unbefitting healing objects?
- G. Petit
- Date
- Thursday 12 February 2026
- Time
- Address
-
Academy Building
Rapenburg 73
2311 GJ Leiden
Summary
Title of the thesis: Unbefitting healing objects? Relations to health and protection among young middle class adults, indigenous healers and religious leaders in Dodoma, Tanzania
Petit's thesis focuses on young adults belonging to the middle classes in Dodoma who have access to various facilities: education, religion, and healthcare. These facilities all contribute to shaping the social imaginary of young adults regarding their health and that of their young children. As the thesis will demonstrate, multiple narratives emerge around health-related decisions from the perspectives of three focal groups: young adults, religious leaders, and indigenous healers.
While many young adults say they do not use protective or healing objects - such as ilizi - due to their religious convictions, higher education, and reliance on biomedical care, Petit’s research reveals a more complex reality. Despite their stated positions, some young adults do visit indigenous healers and use such objects. This disjuncture between what is professed and what is practiced forms a central point of contestation explored in the thesis.
Supervisor(s)
- Prof.dr. R.A. van Dijk
- Prof.dr. R. Reis
- dr. C.L. Williams
Press enquiries (journalists only)
+31 (0)71 527 1521
nieuws@leidenuniv.nl
PhD dissertations
Approximately one week after the defence, PhD dissertations by Leiden PhD students are available digitally through the Leiden Repository, that offers free access to these PhD dissertations. Please note that in some cases a dissertation may be under embargo temporarily and access to its full-text version will only be granted later.
General information
Beadle's Office
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