essay

Ojibwa world view and disease

Contributions to anthropology : selected papers of A. Irving HallowellChicago • Published In 1976 • Pages: 391-448

By: Hallowell, A. Irving (Alfred Irving).

Abstract
In this article Hallowell discusses the relationship among Ojibwa cognition, etiology, and values. He criticizes the natural/supernatural dichotomy when applied to the Ojibwa world view. The Ojibwa, he argues, do not see the world so divided, but regard 'supernatural beings,' such as the Grandfathers or wind spirits, as having a real in-this-world ontological status and he refers to these spirits as 'other-than-human-persons.' Persons have a reciprocal relationship with these 'other-than-human-persons,' in which curing and protective power is exchanged for maintaining certain personal taboos. Hallowell argues that these personal taboos have a general disciplining effect, which guides Ojibwa social life. Disease is considered the consequence of transgressing Ojibwa 'equalitarian' values. In this regard, Hallowell sees Ojibwa understanding of disease causality as a social sanction that reinforces their moral codes and behavior.
Subjects
Gift giving
Ethics
Theory of disease
Magical and mental therapy
Spirits and gods
Avoidance and taboo
Ethnometeorology
Ethnopsychology
culture
Ojibwa
HRAF PubDate
2000
Region
North America
Sub Region
Arctic and Subarctic
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnographer
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Ian Skoggard ;1998
Field Date
1930-1940
Coverage Date
1930-1940
Coverage Place
Berens River, Manitoba, Canada
Notes
[A. Irving Hallowell]
Includes bibliographical references (p. 445-448)
LCCN
75020890
LCSH
Ojibwa Indians