title: Baridi: a culture-bound syndrome among the Bena peoples in Tanzania.
abstract: The aim of this ethnographic study is to describe baridi, a culture-bound syndrome of the Bena peoples in the village of Ilembula, Tanzania. The data were collected through open-ended interviews (n = 49), observation and personal field diary, and analyzed by qualitative content analysis. The findings showed that baridi, emotional coldness, was a slowly progressing condition. It started with mild symptoms, such as feeling cold, tired and sick. Later, it influenced the sufferer's physical, mental, social, sexual, and economical well being. Treatment of baridi was based on identification of the cause, asking for forgiveness and sharing a ritual confirming family unity. Prevention of baridi required respect of the elderly and familial norms. The findings may advance professional understanding of cultural knowledge by demonstrating how sociocultural conditions produce variations in health.
authors.affiliation: Kajaani Polytechnic, Finland.
authors.forename: Anitta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Juntunen
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000884:Anthropology, Cultural; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D015984:Causality; D002562:Ceremonial Behavior; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D018450:Disease Progression; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations / Q000208:ethnology*; D008297:Male; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012380:Role; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012945:Social Values; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013577:Syndrome; D013609:Taboo; D013636:Tanzania