Utz Wachil: Findings from an International Study of Indigenous Perspectives on Health and Environment |
| |
Authors: | Clive Nettleton Carolyn Stephens Fiona Bristow Susan Claro Thomas Hart Caroline McCausland Ingrid Mijlof |
| |
Institution: | (1) Public and Environmental Health Research Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK;(2) Independent consultant, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK;(3) Health Unlimited, Unit 6, Park Place, London, SW8 1UD, UK;(4) Concern Worldwide, Alpha House, 100 Borough High Street, London, SE1 1LB, UK |
| |
Abstract: | This article reports previously unpublished results of a collaborative study undertaken in 2003 by health workers of the UK-based
organisation Health Unlimited, and by researchers of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. This study marked the first of a series of collaborative activities aimed at highlighting the situation of Indigenous peoples,
some in the most isolated ecosystems of the planet. While many researchers focus on quantitative analysis of the health and
environmental conditions of Indigenous peoples, our 2003 study aimed at exploring the views of Indigenous peoples in isolated
communities in five countries on their environment and their health. In this article we look closely at the web of knowledge
and belief that underpins Indigenous peoples’ concepts of health and well-being, and their relationship to land and the environment.
Although many Indigenous people have been forced off their traditional lands and live in rural settlements, towns, and cities,
there are still a large number of people living in very small Indigenous communities in remote areas. This article focuses
on 20 such communities in six countries. We explore traditional knowledge and practice and its relationship to Western medicine
and services. The research findings highlight the importance of Indigenous knowledge systems for the emerging ecohealth community
and suggest that we have much to learn from Indigenous peoples in our pursuit of a more holistic science.
Utz Wachil is from the K’iche language originating in Totonicapan Department, Guatemala. It translates literally as “fine/well
face-ness,” face meaning one’s aspect in general, not only physical appearance. |
| |
Keywords: | Indigenous ecosystem health traditional knowledge |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|