An Anthropological Study about Epilepsy in Native Tribes from Central and South America

Abstract

Summary:Purpose: Epilepsy was a well-recognized disease in pre-Columbian cultures. However, anthropological studies about epilepsy in native cultures living at the present time are scarce. The objective of this paper was to study native perception and myths about epilepsy, their magic-religious healing rites and ceremonies, and the natural treatments that archaic cultures used.Methods: An anthropological fieldwork was performed in Central and South America with Tzeltal Maya (Chiapas, Mexico, 1995), Kamayurá (Matto Grosso, Brazil, 1999) and Uru-Chipaya people (Bolivian Andes, 2004). We collected information from shamans and medicine men about epilepsy beliefs and the use of traditional treatments.Results: Epilepsy is called tub tub ikal by Tzeltal people. It is caused by an attack suffered by the animal spirit who accompanies the person, after a fight between the spirits who serve the forces of good and evil. People with chronic epilepsy are considered witches. Epilepsy is called teawarup by Kamayurá, and is caused by the revenge of the spirit (mama'e) of the armadillo killed by a huntsman. It is treated with two roots, tsimó and wewurú, kneaded and diluted in water. Epilepsy is called tukuri by the Chipaya people, and is originated by a witchcraft that enters into the nose and the head, as a wind. Tukuri is treated with a ritual animal sacrifice called willancha, and by taking several dried insect infusions and bird's blood.Conclusion: These American native cultures have developed a system of orally transmitted knowledge about epilepsy based on magic-religious traditions. Key Words: American Indians-Epilepsy-Medical anthropology-Neurology and the humanities-Traditional medicine.There is a need for an increased understanding of the cultural basis of epilepsy in all systems of health care. It is estimated that more than 80% of the 50 million people with epilepsy worldwide are living in developing countries (ILAE, 2001). Most of anthropological and psychosocial studies about epilepsy have been performed in rural societies from African countries (Awaritefe, 1989;

Psychosocial and Cultural Aspects of Epilepsy

“…Epilepsy was a well-recognized disease in pre-Columbian cultures, as Spanish chroniclers of the sixteenth century reported (Carod-Artal & Vazquez-Cabrera, 2007). Several native societies persist in Central and South America with a traditional medical system, empiricism, rites and initiations, whose knowledge is orally transmitted (Carod & Domenech, 1995).…”

“…Sub-Saharan Africa-and the continent of Arica as a whole-attach a huge social stigma to epilepsy (Jilek et al, 1997). Prejudice against the disease is common, persons with epilepsy are usually stigmatized and even pronunciation of the word 'epilepsy' is a taboo (Carod-www.intechopen.com Artal & Vazquez-Cabrera, 2007). To suffer from epilepsy in Africa often means to also suffer from a very specific psychological and social trauma (Jilek-Aall & Jilk, 1989).…”

“…Although Africa is a diverse continent, and represents people of different cultural background, a widely held notion is that epilepsy may be caused by evil spirits (Carod-Artal & VazquezCabrera, 2007). Other beliefs include witchcraft and contagious fears from bodily secretions (saliva, stool, or urine) that could potentially transmit seizures to bystanders (Carod-Artal & Vazquez-Cabrera, 2007). An added cause cited by Mauritania Moorish populations is the diet; the term "iguindi" refers to all clinical manifestations including seizures attributed to excessive eating (Traore et al, 1998).…”

Quality of Life Issues in Epilepsy

“…This in turn increases the experience of stigma in PWE. Contagion beliefs existed up until the 18 th century and are still apparent in some African cultures [21][22][23]. Laws prohibiting marriage in both the UK (until 1970) and America (1956) have only been revoked in the past sixty years [23][24] and more recently over a third of PWE were refused one or more types of insurance in the UK [25].…”

“…Laws prohibiting marriage in both the UK (until 1970) and America (1956) have only been revoked in the past sixty years [23][24] and more recently over a third of PWE were refused one or more types of insurance in the UK [25]. Cross culturally the impact of stigma on PWE has caused them to be excluded from important social roles, under achieve in school, to find it more difficult to gain employment, have intimate relationships or maintain family relations [1,21,[26][27][28]. Consequently negative attitudes and lack of family support render the individual as being more vulnerable to psychosocial difficulties [2].…”