<ul> <li> Introduction of cosmology into medical anthropology as a useful concept through which to examine mental illness and health a concept that also bridges some of the divisions between what is considered &lsquo;medical&rsquo; and &lsquo;religious&rsquo;.</li> <li> Range of ethnographic examples based on original research data and which illustrates how cosmologies might manifest and be examined in different cultural contexts.</li> <li> Placement of medical anthropology in the centre of social anthropology and human sciences rather than situating this as just a technique of biomedical explanation and handmaiden of biomedicine.</li></ul>