[Mihalic] Some phrases for illness

Thomas Slone THSlone at yahoo.com
Mon Mar 12 17:28:18 EST 2007


Koka (p. 56), divides illnesses into 3 main classifications:

Sik bilong ples: "illness of the village", refers to illnesses caused 
by spirits, posin (sorcery) and witchcraft. Diseases that cause 
chronic illness and death are usually associated with sorcery.

Sik nating: "just an illness", refers to illnesses that are not 
attributed to the supernatural, e.g., common cold, diarrhea and 
fever, from which people usually recover without treatment

Sik bilong waitman: "illness of the White man", refers to illnesses 
believed to be introduced as a result of western contact, e.g., 
diabetes, heart disease and cancer

Betty E. Koka, Traditional medicine in Papua New Guinea: Cultural 
Beliefs and Practices (2004). In: Traditional Medicine in Papua New 
Guinea: Proceedings of the National Workshop on Policy and Practices, 
28th-30th July, 2004, Port Moresby (Prem P. Rai, ed.), pp. 55-60.
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