From the bush to the Bronx : demonstrating the power of heritage through migration, 2013

Item — Call Number: MU Thesis Con

Identifier: b7607852

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The collection consists of theses written by students enrolled in the Monmouth University graduate Anthropology program. The holdings are primarily bound print documents that were submitted in partial fulfillment of university requirements for the Master of Arts degree.

From the Collection:

During the fall 2022 semester (in instances where the requisite waivers were received from consenting student authors), the Monmouth University Library, together with the University's Graduate School and Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences, began providing open access to select full-text digital versions of current theses and dissertations through links to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global website in the Library's Online Public Access Catalog. Links to these open access digital publications can also be found in the "External Documents" section under any conforming titles that are listed among the holdings itemized in the collection inventory for this finding aid.

Dates

Creation: 2013

Creator

Conzo, Dana (1987- ) (Author, Person)
Bludau, Heidi L., 1972- (Thesis advisor, Person)
González-Tennant, Edward (Thesis advisor, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use. Access is by appointment only.

Access to the collection is confined to the Monmouth University Library and is subject to patron policies approved by the Monmouth University Library.

Collection holdings may not be borrowed through interlibrary loan.

Research appointments are scheduled by the Monmouth University Library Archives Collections Manager (723-923-4526). A minimum of three days advance notice is required to arrange a research appointment for access to the collection.

Patrons must complete a Researcher Registration Form and provide appropriate identification to gain access to the collection holdings. Copies of these documents will be kept on file at the Monmouth University Library.

Extent

1 Items (print book) : 168 pages ; 8.5 x 11.0 inches (28 cm).

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Nevis is a Caribbean island in the British West Indies that steeped [sic] in history and cultural tradition. Nevisians value their culture and make efforts to preserve their traditions, including bush medicine, in the face for globalization. The project focuses on the specific cultural practice, bush medicine. Bush medicine in Nevis is the use of wild plants in various ways to treat disease or illness. For many Nevisians, bush medicine is their first line of defense against sickness and [sic] credited with longevity and maintaining healthy lives. This project examines the process, rules and functions of this practice while identifying and documenting valuable plants.

This goal of this project is to emphasize the importance of bush medicine to the intangible cultural heritage of Nevis but it also links bush medicine to tangible heritage by examining at the plants in within the concept of space and place. The bush medicine practice of Nevis is no longer confined to the island. Many Nevisians migrate off island is [sic] search of career opportunities, social freedom or a variety of over push and pull factors. Many of these migrants choose to resettle in urban areas of the United States. These migrants often bring cultural tradtions with them to their host country. This project focuses [sic] migration, identity, diaspora and transnationalism by examining the retention of bush medicine as it is reconstructed abroad, specifically in the Bronx. This demonstrates bush medicine's place in the cultural heritage of Nevis.

Partial Contents

Introduction -- Literature review -- Methods -- Nevisian health -- Bush medicine in the Bronx -- Interpretation -- Conclusion -- Appendix A. Approved IRB form -- Appendix B. Interview questions -- Appendix C. Oral history deed of gift -- Appendix D. Medicinal plants of Nevis -- Works cited -- Biographical sketch.