Health Problems That Require No "Medication": The Case of Ancestor-Related Illnesses Among the Tumbuka of Northern Malawi

Abstract

This paper, based on fieldwork conducted among the Tumbuka people of Northern Malawi, reaffirms the continued belief in ancestors by the Tumbuka people and the continued role of the ancestors in the lives of their descendants. Ancestors can cause misfortunes to their descendants and these are revealed through the processes of divination, dreaming and the sighting of certain snake and grasshopper species. What is apparent from this paper is the ancestor’s desire to see their descendants living peacefully. Fighting and quarrelling amongst relatives is deplored by the ancestors. Ancestors also desire the continuation of what are described as the Tumbuka customs, for example, that men should not abandon the land of their ancestors and build a home elsewhere. Once misfortunes including illnesses caused by ancestors are known, the Tumbuka believe that traditional as well as western medicines are unnecessary. “Medication” consists of talking to the ancestors using established systems and addressing the reasons why the ancestors caused the misfortunes.