Berhe Tzeggai
Abteilung Psychiatrie II der Uni Ulm, BKH Günzburg.
Psychiatr Prax. 2005 Mar;32(2):93-8. doi: 10.1055/s-2004-834571.
Hmam Budda is one of the widest spread "culture specific symptom presentations" in Tigrigna, the largest ethnic group in Eritrea. According to the understanding of the Tigrigna Budda is a female or male person who has inherited or acquired the supernatural gift and ability to take over people's body and soul. Mental disorders that are closely associated with possession phenomena are often attributed to Budda. The case study presents a first description of Hmam Budda by using a clinical vignette that was indigenously interpreted (emic approach). The traditional concepts of explaining and approaching mental distress and their meaning in the encounter with main stream psychiatry are discussed.
