Concepts of Illness Among the Swahili of Lamu, Kenya

Abstract

The Swahili of Lamu, Kenya, understand illness as the result of a spiritual imbalance caused by personal transgression or an attack by harmful forces directed by an envious person. Another underlying component of the Swahili concept of illness is that each person's physical body operates in conjunction with personal attributes that are fixed at birth and determine moral character, behavior, and predisposition to ailments. When physical symptoms occur, the Swahili focus on identifying the human or supernatural entity that caused the illness in consultation with a range of healers who specialize in a variety of curing strategies. Two case studies illustrate how culturally congruent nursing care can be achieved when health care providers understand the Swahili framework of diagnosing and treating illness.

Health beliefs and behaviours of families towards the health needs of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Accra, Ghana

“…traumatic brain injury, convulsion, HIV/AIDS and musculoskeletal injuries) in many African indigenous cultures (Colvin et al . ; Groce & McGeown ; Gearhart & Abdulrehman ; Kuubiere et al . ; Mbakile‐Mahlanza et al .…”

“…For example, these beliefs may be common explanations for traumatic brain injury, convulsion, HIV/AIDS and musculoskeletal injuries (Colvin et al . ; Gearhart & Abdulrehman ; Kuubiere et al . ; Mbakile‐Mahlanza et al .…”

Exploring Cultural Influences of Self-Management of Diabetes in Coastal Kenya

“…In this case, the people under study are people of Swahili ethnicity with type 2 diabetes, and who live in Lamu town on Lamu Island, Kenya. Because the Swahili have a unique set of cultural beliefs and practices that play a vital role in matters related to health, illness, and well-being (Abdulrehman & Gearhart, 2012; Gearhart & Abdulrehman, 2014), examining type 2 diabetes care in light of these cultural attitudes, values, and expressions will provide an insider’s understanding of diabetes self-management among this population. The knowledge gained through this study is foundational to health care providers in particular, who are on the frontlines of providing culturally appropriate patient care.…”