My Sudanese culture by

ZAR Rituals

yanjisherpa — 2024-08-28 12:19:37 UTC

In Sudanese culture, the Zar ritual is a practice that is performed to solve spiritual and psychological problems. This ceremony entails the use of drums, dancing and chanting to the spirits believed to be causing various diseases particularly those affecting females (El Hadidi, 2016). The Zar is seen as both a healing and a coping intervention that enables people to address distress in a culturally appropriate manner (Boddy, 2014). It has been viewed as a cultural perspective of illness reflecting the role of religion in health concerns (Mianji & Semnani, 2015). Nevertheless, Zar remains a culturally relevant practice even in the 21 st century when advanced medical technologies exist.

Hager El Hadidi. (2016). From Abyssinia to Cairo: The Zar Ritual Complex. American University in Cairo Press EBooks. https://doi.org/10.5743/cairo/9789774166976.003.0002

Boddy, J. (2014). Wombs and Alien Spirits Women, Men and the Zar Cult in Northern Sudan. Madison University Of Wisconsin Press [Ann Arbor, Michigan] [Proquest.

Mianji, F., & Semnani, Y. (2015). Zār Spirit Possession in Iran and African Countries: Group Distress, Culture-Bound Syndrome or Cultural Concept of Distress?. Iranian journal of psychiatry, 10(4), 225–232.

yanjisherpa — 2024-08-28 12:26:31 UTC

In my practice setting, I apply competency standard 1. 1 from the Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice Framework by acknowledging the diverse characteristics and other aspects of the life of a patient (Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, 2017). Respect for patient’s cultural beliefs, spirituality, and their preferred language is something I take very seriously, and I see to it not to make assumptions and to always try to conform to each patient’s wishes. This includes changing my practices to fit their preference and belief system to ensure better and positive care. Through observation and patient feedback, the modifications that I make improve the quality of interactions and the care outcomes, as defined by the ten attributes of patient-centred care (Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, 2011).

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards. 2nd ed. Sydney. 2017.

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Patient-centred care: Improving quality and safety through partnerships with patients and consumers. Sydney 2011.

social inclusion and non-discrimination

yanjisherpa — 2024-08-28 12:31:10 UTC

Equality and social justice are key aspects of the WHO social determinants which have a substantial impact on the lives of Sudanese refugees in Australia. All these factors are needed to create the feeling that people are part of a community that can help them minimize the effects of mental health issues stemming from displacement. When a refugee does not experience discrimination, he or she is more likely to interact with the locals, seek medical help and utilize the educational and employment opportunities. Hence, health is enhanced, and the individuals are well prepared to assimilate into the Australian community. On the other hand, discrimination outcomes worsening of mental health diseases, and limited accessibility to required services to prevent the achievement of better living and integration (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2021).

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (2021). The impact of social inclusion on refugees.

Lüken-Klaßen, D., & Baumtrog, A. (2023). Social inclusion of refugees via family centres? A qualitative longitudinal research study on challenges in social work. European Social Work Research, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1332/tpdj2051

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

yanjisherpa — 2024-08-28 12:33:34 UTC

Mental disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), remain prevalent among Sudanese refugees in the current generation due to past traumatic experiences and displacement (Karunakara et al., 2004). The ‘Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide’ has identified PTSD as one of the most concerning issues. The first line of treatment is trauma-focused Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) as it is effective in managing PTSD symptoms by providing ways of coping with trauma (Klabbers et al., 2022). It has been found to have a substantial effect of lowering the post-traumatic stress disorder and a general improvement in the mental health of refugees (Peltzer, 1999). The treatment of PTSD, CBT has been found to be effective thus affording it the much-needed support as one of major interventions to use on refugees with trauma related mental health conditions.

Karunakara, U. K., Neuner, F., Schauer, M., Singh, K., Hill, K., Elbert, T., & Burnha, G. (2004). Traumatic events and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder amongst Sudanese nationals, refugees and Ugandans in the West Nile. African health sciences, 4(2), 83–93.

Klabbers, R. E., Ashaba, S., Stern, J., Faustin, Z., Tsai, A. C., Kasozi, J., Kambugu, A., Ventevogel, P., Bassett, I. V., & O’Laughlin, K. N. (2022). Mental disorders and lack of social support among refugees and Ugandan nationals screening for HIV at health centers in Nakivale refugee settlement in southwestern Uganda. Journal of Global Health Reports, 6. https://doi.org/10.29392/001c.39600

Peltzer, K. (1999). Trauma and mental health problems of Sudanese refugees in Uganda. Central African Journal of Medicine, 45(5). https://doi.org/10.4314/cajm.v45i5.8465

Sudan's Wazza instrument in the harvest season

yanjisherpa — 2024-08-28 12:36:40 UTC

Popular Sudanese music contains a blend of African beat with Arab melodies and tunes. It includes instruments like the oud, tambour, an indigenous wind instrument known as the waza (Al-waza, 2019). It has a cultural importance in that it is used in Weddings, religious ceremonies and other ceremonial activities that are common in Sudan. As a source of information and a tool for sharing the identity and experiences of people, it becomes a link between people of different ethnic backgrounds and the historical past of the country. Through entertainment, Sudanese music informs and fosters social cohesion; thus remaining relevant over the years (Music of Sudan, 2020).

"Al-waza : A musical instrument reflecting the Sudanese heritage". Khartoum Star. 5 September 2019. Archived from the original on 6 September 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2019.

Music of Sudan. (2020, November 26). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Sudan

al-Daw, Ali; Muhammad, Abd-Alla (1985). Traditional musical instruments in Sudan (in Arabic and English). Khartoum: Inst. of African and Asian Studies. OCLC 631658755.

Languages of Sudan

yanjisherpa — 2024-08-28 12:39:51 UTC

Sudan is one of the most multilingual nations in Africa as there are more than 70 languages being used in different parts of the country. The main languages are Arabic which is the official language and a few negroid languages like Nubian, Beja, and Fur. The two languages used in the Sudan include; Arabic (Standard) which is used in communication and administration alongside the Sudanese language (Sudan Languages, 2024). Sudanese indigenous languages remain crucial in conveying the ethnic diversity in Sudan; they are used in local contexts and customs (Languages of Sudan, 2024). This linguistic diversity is the crowning feature of this affianced socio-cultural of Sudan and is in concord with the set of beliefs that language is a veritable pointer to culture.

"Languages of Sudan". Ethnologue. 27. Retrieved 11 March 2024.

Sudan Languages. (2024, July 23). FamilySearch Wiki, . Retrieved 11:43, August 28, 2024 from https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/index.php?title=Sudan_Languages&oldid=5788451.

Languages of South Sudan. (2021, May 12). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_South_Sudan

Sudanese Tobe

yanjisherpa — 2024-08-28 12:43:52 UTC

Traditional dress for women in Sudan embraces cultural values on dressing while at the same time allowing them to dress appropriately for the hot weather. The thobe is the dominant piece of clothing and consists of a long, loose dress that reaches the ankles and overlaps from neck to ankle, generally made of light materials to avoid heat (Colgrove, 2023). Female Sudanese people also have modesty head dresses, which include hijab or shaal that enhances their dressing with thobe (What Types of Clothes Do They Wear in Sudan?, 2023). This garment goes in line with the cultural and social standards of the Sudanese society; it is worn during regular activities as well as during ceremonial occasions. Cultural clothing thus provides a link between the past and the present and helps meet functional requirements (Karim, 2021).

"What Types of Clothes Do They Wear in Sudan?". Our Everyday Life. Retrieved 2023-05-16.

^ Colgrove, Debbie (2023-01-28). "Traditional Clothing Of Sudan". AkoTaq. Retrieved 2023-05-16.

karim (2021-11-21). "Sudanese Traditional Clothing –". Retrieved 2023-05-16.

Sudan

yanjisherpa — 2024-08-28 13:29:29 UTC