SASKATOON — Lucky Tomdi approaches many things with a historian’s mindset.
Tomdi is a PhD student in the Department of History at the USask College of Arts and Science. He describes himself as a “student of history who specializes in medical and health histories.”
In his spare time, Tomdi watches documentaries—most recently a film on medical racism—and listens to mostly locally composed and conscious music.
“Musicians sometimes incorporate what happens in their communities into their songs. When I listen to that, it’s a relaxing moment for me,” Tomdi said. “At the same time, it’s a life reflective moment where I get to develop ideas and express my perspectives of life.”
He often takes his thoughts and records them in his blog, which serves as a way for Tomdi to reflect on life, living in Canada, and to connect with family and friends at home.
Tomdi is from the Upper East Region in the Republic of Ghana. His PhD thesis is focusing on African medical auxiliaries—people who provided healthcare support — and how they transformed biomedicine in Ghana in the 19th and 20th centuries.
“My ultimate goal is to understand African biomedicine,” Tomdi said. “We have Indigenous medicine, which is another type of medical system ... in terms of ideology and practice but my focus is on the biomedical system.”
While earning his undergraduate degree in Ghana, Tomdi was inspired to continue research in exploring the medical history of Ghana. He made the decision to attend the University of New Brunswick to study for a master’s degree in history.
When it came to continuing his education, a friend recommended he look at pursuing a PhD degree at USask.
USask appealed to Tomdi, being situated in Saskatoon—a quieter city compared to some he has lived or visited. He was accepted to the PhD program in the Department of History, with Dr. Simonne Horowitz (PhD) as his supervisor.
Tomdi’s research focuses on a specific part of his heritage in Ghana—what factors and people have influenced the medical system to shape what it is today.
“Scholars have always talked about how Indigenous healers incorporated elements of Western biomedicine into their practices, but not how Africans also incorporated African knowledge systems on healing and health into biomedicine,” he said.
“I think that by studying these African medical auxiliaries and their work, we’ll be able to get close to understanding biomedicine within the African context,” he added.
February is a time to celebrate and reflect on the history of Black people in Canada. This year, USask and the Pan-African Students’ Association have created a theme for this month, “Radiant Roots: Honouring Our Heritage.”
“What heritage are we talking about?” Tomdi asked. “I think that this is very important, and it is a theme that depending on the activities in there, I will be able to know and understand the diversities involved in this heritage we’re talking about.”
Black History Month is a time to look at heritage from other perspectives and a time of cultural and psychological awakening, he said.
“I thought about heritage as part of celebrating Black History Month,” Tomdi said. “Our heritage and roots—not only in the sense of cultural display, which we see visually—but it also has to do with our consciousness. Being conscious of your heritage .... you appreciate your identity as a Black person.”
For more information about Black History Month, and how it is being recognized at USask, visit spotlight.usask.ca.
— Submitted by USask Media Relations
