Représentations socioculturelles de « agweh » : l’épilepsie chez les Essoh-attah du Sud-ouest Cameroun : Contribution à l’anthropologie médicale.

Abstract

This study, entitled "Représentations socioculturelles de « agweh »: l’épilepsie chez les Essoh Attah du Sud-Ouest Cameroun" throws light on the different socio-cultural representations of epilepsy among the Essoh-Attah. Epilepsy was a little known disease before the coming of a stranger to the Essoh-Attah society. With the coming of this stranger, epilepsy became rampant and the population targeted were mostly the youths. Many young people were dying because they were attacked by epilepsy. To avoid the death of the youths, many parents decided to send their children out of the village to forward their education and also to engage in their different businesses. When the students completed their education they never came back home to develop the village. Those engaged in business do not return home to construct the village. As a result, the village is lacking behind in development as compared with the neighbouring villages. The question of this study is what are the socio-cultural representations of epilepsy among the Essoh-Attah? The hypothesis of this research work is that the sociocultural representations of epilepsy in the Essoh-Attah society are supernatural as well as biological. The objective of this study is to examine the socio-cultural representations of epilepsy among the Essoh-Attah. We used the qualitative method to collect data in the field. Underlying this method, we used techniques of data collection such as direct observation, in-depth interviews, life histories, focus group discussions and photography. The data was analyse soon after field work was over using content analysis. To interpret our data, we used theories such as Garfinkel's (1950) ethnomethodology, Moscovici's (1961) social representation and Steward's (1950) cultural ecology. The major findings of this research work reveal that the Essoh-Attah populations perceive epilepsy as something abnormal caused by witchcraft; human resources such as theft, curse, bad luck. People suffering from epilepsy are stigmatised, in school, in the markets and even in the family because when they fall people flee instead of coming to help. People with epilepsy should avoid risky places such as fires and rivers, and especially avoid walking in the rain. They should also avoid certain dietary taboos. These different causes of epilepsy can be treated using herbs and other substances.