Religion, Spirits, Human Agents and Healing: A Conceptual Understanding from a Sociocultural Study of Tehuledere Community, Northeastern Ethiopia

Mesfin Haile Kahissay,Heather Boon,Teferi Gedif Fenta

doi:10.1007/s10943-018-0728-6

Mesfin Haile Kahissay, Heather Boon + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-018-0728-6

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Abstract

This paper explores the relationship among religion, spirits and healing in the Tehuledere community in the northeastern part of Ethiopia and focuses on how this knowledge can inform primary healthcare reform. The study employed qualitative ethnographic methods. Participatory observation, over a total of 5 months during the span of 1 year, was supplemented by focus group discussions (96 participants in 10 groups) and in-depth interviews (n = 20) conducted with key informants. Data were analyzed thematically using narrative strategies. The present study revealed that members of the study community perceive health, illness and healing as being given by God. Many of the Tehuledere people attribute illness to the wrath of supernatural forces. Healing is thought to be mitigated by divine assistance obtained through supplication and rituals and through the healing interventions of nature spirit actors. We found that the health, illnesses and healing were inextricably linked to religious and spiritual beliefs. Our findings suggest that religious and spiritual elements should be considered when drafting and implementing primary healthcare strategies for the study communities and similar environments and populations around the globe.

Highlights

Many countries, including Ethiopia, support the principle of a right to health care for all, translating that principle into action is a daunting task for most developing nations
This paper explores the relationship among religion, spirits and healing in the Tehuledere community in the northeastern part of Ethiopia and focuses on how this knowledge can inform primary healthcare reform
We found that the health, illnesses and healing were inextricably linked to religious and spiritual beliefs

Summary

Introduction

Many countries, including Ethiopia, support the principle of a right to health care for all, translating that principle into action is a daunting task for most developing nations. Journal of Religion and Health (2020) 59:946–960 resources, accessibility, affordability and perceived lack of cultural relevance. This leads to situations where people in developing nations around the globe continue to rely on indigenous healthcare practices along with the biomedical healthcare services (Kassaye et al 2006). Jawaid (2015) argue that maintenance and support of indigenous medicine may have a number of advantages It may be more congruent with the world view of the indigenous people and is likely to be more holistic (i.e., inclusive of prevention and health promotion) than the Western biomedicine which is often focused on treatment of disease, especially in countries with limited healthcare resources. One way to increase the total healthcare resources available within a country is to support the provision of safe and effective indigenous medicine (WHO 2011)

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