The Practice of Holy Water Therapy for Mental Disorders and other Conditions: at St. Michael Church Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2018-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Ethiopians tend to emphasize supernatural explanations for illness, especially in the case of
mental illness. The most common indigenous therapy is the use of holy water. Despite some
recent studies on indigenous therapy, there has been little exploration of the interface between
mental health and religion in Ethiopia. Thus the primary purpose of this study is to
systematically explore the process of holy water therapy for mental disorders at Shinkuru
Michael one of the principal traditional therapy centers in the outskirts of Addis Ababa.
This research project used a descriptive study methodology, which is derived from and could be
classified as a sub-branch of the qualitative approach. Non probability purposive sampling
methods were used due to their appropriateness in dealing with sensitive issues related to mental
illness. Data was collected from nine participants through in-depth interview, participant
observation, and informal interview. Primary and secondary data collection methods were also
used to gather additional data. All data were organized thematically and analyzed using
thematic analysis.
The study found that the nature of tsebel therapy demands the individual’s active involvement in
fasting, prostration, Emnet (use of holy ash) and worship, for it to be effective. A wide variety of
patients frequently made use of tsebel since it has a dual nature, being considered as an effective
preventive measure and also as a cure, for mental illness and other diseases. Thus, based on the
research, one can conclude that since the religious establishment plays a major role in the
treatment of mental illness, there is a strong imperative for a certain amount of re-education,
awareness raising and the promotion of cooperation among religious healers at tsebel/holy
water sites, and mental health practitioners of every kind of health care system.
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Keywords
mental illness,indigenous therapy