essay
Ojibwa world view and disease
Contributions to anthropology : selected papers of A. Irving Hallowell • Chicago • 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.
- 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