Book
Culture and mental illness: a study from Uganda
Published for the Makerere Institute of Social Research [by] East African Pub. House • (36) • Published In 1970 • Pages: 82
By: Orley, John H..
Abstract
This is a sixteen-month study of mental illness among the Baganda people by the social anthropologist and psychologist John Orley. He discusses Baganda understanding of the body, categories of diseases, traditional forms of treatment, and beliefs surrounding illness, including the supernatural agents involved. The Baganda regard any kind of mental illness, even tantrums or mild epilepsy, as the 'spoiling of the brain,' an understanding that has serious implications for treatment and care. For example, although epileptics and mildly-retarded individuals are capable of work and living in the community, they are considered dysfunctional invalides and are barred from work. Furthermore epilepsy is considered contagious and epileptics lead an outcast-like existence in the community.
- HRAF PubDate
- 1998
- Region
- Africa
- Sub Region
- Eastern Africa
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Types
- Ethnologist
- Psychologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard ; 1997
- Field Date
- unknown
- Coverage Date
- unknown
- Coverage Place
- Kyaddondo and Kyaggwe Counties, Uganda
- Notes
- [by] John H. Orley
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 80-82)
- LCCN
- 72184596
- LCSH
- Ganda (African people)