''Amafufunyana'' is an unspecified "culture-bound" syndrome named by the traditional healers of the

Xhosa people The Xhosa people, or Xhosa language, Xhosa-speaking people (; ) are African people who are direct kinsmen of Tswana people, Sotho people and Twa people, yet are narrowly sub grouped by European as Nguni people, Nguni ethnic group whose traditi ...

that relates to claims of

demonic possession Spirit possession is an unusual or altered state of consciousness and associated behaviors purportedly caused by the control of a human body by spirits, ghosts, demons, or gods. The concept of spirit possession exists in many cultures and reli ...

due to members of the Xhosa people exhibiting aberrant behavior and psychological concerns. After study, it was discovered that this term is directed toward people with varying types of

schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by continuous or relapsing episodes of psychosis. Major symptoms include hallucinations (typically hearing voices), delusions, and disorganized thinking. Other symptoms include social withdra ...

. A similar term, ukuthwasa, is used to refer to positive types of claimed possession, though this event also involves those with schizophrenia. It has also found cultural usage among some groups of

Zulu people Zulu people (; zu, amaZulu) are a Nguni ethnic group native to Southern Africa. The Zulu people are the largest ethnic group and nation in South Africa, with an estimated 10–12 million people, living mainly in the province of KwaZulu-Natal ...

s. The direct translation of the term ''amafufunyana'' is nerves and is a part of a much more complex cultural ideology connecting varying types of

psychosis Psychosis is a condition of the mind that results in difficulties determining what is real and what is not real. Symptoms may include delusions and hallucinations, among other features. Additional symptoms are incoherent speech and behavior ...

with religious, social, and recently psychiatric beliefs and activities. In a 1998 interview with Xhosa people with schizophrenia by Lund et al., it was determined that through interaction with scientists and psychological services, the preferred treatment for the cultural condition had shifted from relation to traditional healers to active psychiatric assessment.

Claimed symptoms and causes

People who claim to have ''amafufunyana'' state that their symptoms include hearing "voices from their stomachs", speaking in another language or in a disturbing tone, and general agitation and possible violence. There is also the possibility of suicide being attempted. One of the cultural beliefs for the cause is bewitchment from drinking a

magic potion A potion () is a liquid "that contains medicine, poison, or something that is supposed to have magic powers.” It derives from the Latin word ''potus'' which referred to a drink or drinking. The term philtre is also used, often specifically ...

brewed from ants that have been feeding upon a buried dead body. General possession by malignant spirits is also believed. Among the Zulu specifically, there is also the belief that a "horde of spirits" from multiple ethnic groups come together to take over a person's body. The common cultural treatment for the claimed ailment is for one of the traditional healers, often ''ukuthwasa'' themselves, to perform a ritual of exorcism.

Diagnosis

Amafufunyana is often diagnosed through a floor x-ray (bone reading) by a competent Traditional Health Practitioner. Often Traditional Health Practitioners would also diagnose amafufunyana through African exorcism (ukufemba). Note: it's important to vet your Traditional Health Practitioner before consultation to verify that they are indeed practitioners.

History

Recorded incidents of ''amafufunyana'' appear to have begun in the early 20th century and researchers such as Ngubane ''et al'' have suggested that its cultural formation may have had something to do with

colonialism Colonialism is a practice or policy of control by one people or power over other people or areas, often by establishing colonies and generally with the aim of economic dominance. In the process of colonisation, colonisers may impose their relig ...

and migration of

indigenous peoples Indigenous peoples are culturally distinct ethnic groups whose members are directly descended from the earliest known inhabitants of a particular geographic region and, to some extent, maintain the language and culture of those original people ...

away from their homes. There have also been widespread outbreaks of the condition, similar to events involving contagious spread of

hysteria Hysteria is a term used colloquially to mean ungovernable emotional excess and can refer to a temporary state of mind or emotion. In the nineteenth century, hysteria was considered a diagnosable physical illness in women. It is assumed that ...

, recorded in the 1980s at a rural girls'

boarding school A boarding school is a school where pupils live within premises while being given formal instruction. The word "boarding" is used in the sense of "room and board", i.e. lodging and meals. As they have existed for many centuries, and now exten ...

. The most common types of people that are identified by the cultural group are those of the lowest economic and social level and more often during times of cultural hardship and change, such as during migrations. More women than men are also identified.

References

{{reflist Schizophrenia Psychosis African demons Exorcism Culture-bound syndromes South African legendary creatures Zulu legendary creatures Spirit possession

Claimed symptoms and causes

Diagnosis

History

See also

References