My colleague, Sarah Carter, and I, have been awarded the Joyce H. Cauthen Fellowship from the Alabama Folklife Association to complete research and fieldwork documentation on wart healing and other traditional medicinal practices in Northwest Alabama during the summer season of 2012. This research holds particular significance to me because we will be working in the homeplace of my late grandmother, Evelyn Burleson-Mongtomery (Marion and Winston County, Ala.).
From the Alabama Folklife Association's announcement:
"Jennifer Joy Jameson, a graduate student at Western Kentucky University, and Sarah Ruth Carter, a musician and accomplished educator, will be researching the tradition of wart healing and other related medicinal practices in Marion County, Alabama. The research, to include the documentation of the education and process of being designated a wart healer in addition to the various practices performed, will contribute to a broader understanding of a "community's cultural and spiritual worldview, traditions, priorities, and identities." The Cauthen Fund committee is looking forward to furthering the interests and dedication to folklife of these two young professionals and encourage their continued pursuit of producing an educational product based on their research."
Read about the other fellows, including Director Emeritus of the American Folklife Center,
Dr. Alan Jabbour, at this link.
Dr. Alan Jabbour, at this link.
