Dear Reader
I highly encourage you to please read the Introduction Post to this series: An Anthropological View regarding The Ideas on the Causation of Ill-Health Part 1 to help get yourself up to date if you have not already read it.
An Anthropological View regarding The Ideas on the Causation of Ill-Health Part 2
The Individual Responsibilty
Lay theories that locate the origin of ill-health within the individual's body, sometimes relate these illnesses to the diet and behaviour of the sick person. The patient is seen as personally responsible for his/her illness as a result of careless behaviour regarding diet, dress, hygiene, lifestyle, relationships, sexual behaviour, smoking, drinking habits and physical exercise. A poor diet, for example, is seen to cause various disorders. Excessive quantities of fatty foods, coffee, and tea cause headaches, dizziness, "high" and "low" blood pressure, as well as coughs and chest complaints. Stigmatised conditions such as obesity, alcoholism and sexually transmitted diseases are often seen as evidence of an individual's carelessness or reckless behaviour about which he/she should feel guilty.
Common conditions such as a "cold" can be seen to result from incorrect behaviour such as "going outdoors when you have a fever", "sitting in a draught after having a hot bath" or "walking barefoot on a cold floor". Negative emotional feelings such as worry, sadness and despair are also blamed for causing ill-health. In such instances, the sufferer might be regarded as being able to avoid the negative emotions and to be responsible for creating feelings of happiness and contentment instead.
CG Helman notes an interesting correlation between personal responsibility and socioeconomic factors such as education and income. People with a higher socioeconomic status and thus greater economic control over their lives are prone to accept that their health is determined by their own actions. Those who perceive themselves as economically and socially powerless are likely to see their ill-health as the result of external factors (such as "luck" or other external forces).
The cause of some illnesses is regarded as being within the individual body, but outside of the sufferer's conscious control, such as hereditary illness. Asthma, acne and bronchitis (eg "all our family members have weak chests") are sometimes believed to be inherited. Epilepsy is sometimes regarded as a hereditary condition that develops later in life.
In contrast to explanations of ill-health which are individual-centered, we also find lay explanations that regard the origin of ill-health as lying largely outside the control of the individual.
The Natural World
Aspects of the natural environment can be seen to cause ill-health especially climatic conditions such as excessive cold, heat, wind rain or dampness. For instance, in Morocco excessive environmental heat is said to "cause the blood to rise to my head". Some people also consider the position of the sun, moon and planetary bodies as having an influence on their health.
The Social World
An illness may be seen to result from the malice of other people. Such ideas about illness causation are often found in societies where interpersonal conflicts are frequent.
Witches and Sorcerers
Witches or sorcerers are believed to use supernatural means to achieve their aims. Inter-personal feelings of tension or conflict usually underlie accusations of witchcraft and sorcery. Beliefs concerning witchcraft and sorcery are common throughout Africa, and among many South African people, they are frequently regarded as causes of illness. Such beliefs also occur in many societies elsewhere in the world. For example, the Trobriand Islanders ascribe deaths that cannot be explained by natural means to witchcraft or sorcery.
The Evil Eye
The evil eye as a cause of misfortune is recognised in parts of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa The person suspected of having the evil eye may be a stranger or someone who is different in some way from the rest of the community. A jealous look from such a person is believed to be sufficient to cause harm in the form of illness or even death. The harm, however, is unintentional and the possessor of the evil eye may be unaware of his or her powers. The evil eye can be avoided by distracting or by applying some form of mystical protection.
End of Part 2
In Part 3 we will explore the Supernatural World in the causation of illness.
Thank you for Reading.
References:
- Service : 1978 (256)
- CG Helman : 1994 (125)
- Logan : 1977 (487-489)
- Hammond-Tooke : 1974 (336)
- Quinian : 2011 (386)
- Helman : 1994 (121)
