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[BUDDA SYNDROME/Hmam Budda].
1Abteilung Psychiatrie II der Uni Ulm, BKH Günzburg. beate.dillinger@bkh-guenzburg.de
Psychiatrische Praxis
|February 16, 2005
Summary
Hmam Budda is a culture-specific belief in Eritrea, where individuals are thought to possess supernatural abilities to take over others. This case study explores this phenomenon and its connection to mental distress within the Tigrigna culture.
Area of Science:
- Cultural Psychiatry
- Medical Anthropology
- Ethnopsychology
Background:
- Hmam Budda is a prevalent culture-specific symptom presentation among the Tigrigna people in Eritrea.
- This belief attributes supernatural abilities to individuals, involving possession of body and soul.
Observation:
- The case study presents a detailed clinical vignette of Hmam Budda.
- An emic approach was used, focusing on indigenous interpretations of the phenomenon.
Findings:
- Mental disorders are frequently linked to Budda possession phenomena within the Tigrigna community.
- The study provides a foundational description of Hmam Budda from an insider perspective.
Implications:
- Understanding traditional concepts of mental distress is crucial for effective psychiatric care.
- This research highlights the importance of integrating cultural beliefs into mainstream psychiatric encounters.
- It offers insights into the intersection of traditional healing and Western psychiatry in Eritrea.