SUDANESE CULTURE by Tendai Shoriwa

Sudanese Health Belief-Dhukan

tendaishoriwac — 2024-08-24 16:45:22 UTC

Dhukan is a common practice in Sudan mainly practiced by married women. The word ‘dhukan’ means 'smoke'. The smoke comes from a special wood known as ‘Taliah’.

A smoke pit is dug underground, hot charcoal is placed in the pit and Talia is added to give a slow remission of smoke. The woman removes her clothes and is anointed with Karkar (scented oil). She is covered by a thin woolen blanket (shamla) and sits in the center of the hole (Mogga, 2022).

This practice helps to treat rheumatic pain, wounds, inflammation, smoothening skin, detoxifying skin, and body relaxation (Elogorashi et al.,2022).

Elgorashi, E.E, Eldeen., E.M.S,Ibrahim, Makhafola, J.T., Eloff, N.J,. Verschaeve,L.(2022). Genotoxic effects of Dukhan: A smoke bath from the wood of Acacia seyal used traditionally by Sudanese women.Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 285, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2021.114868

Mogga N (2022). Dukhan Smoke Bath A Traditional Sudanese Bridal Beauty Treatment. Taste of South Sudan.https://tasteofsouthsudan.com/beauty/dukhansmokebath/

Sudanese Sports

tendaishoriwac — 2024-08-24 16:45:22 UTC

The most unique sport that the Sudanese engage in is Nubian Wrestling( India Today, 2023). Sudanese tribals mark the harvest's end with Nubian wrestling, a traditional sport of the Nuba people of South Kordofan state, Southern Sudan. Opponents aim at slamming each other to the ground, there are strikes and grappling involved but severe injuries are infrequent in this sport. If a participant is injured, his family is supposed to be compensated by the other village, usually a cow or similar valuable commodity. The purpose of the sport is to help build group identity and display the prowess of the group's young men.

India Today(2023).Sudanese Tribals Mark End of Harvest Season With Nubian Wrestling. https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/nubian-wrestling-end-of-harvest-season-sudanese-wrestlers-khartoum-2326046-2023-01-25

Sudanese National Dish

tendaishoriwac — 2024-08-24 16:45:22 UTC

Ful Mademas is a national and traditional Sudanese dish. Its history dates back to ancient times, with roots in Nubian and Egyptian cuisine( Demaria, D, 2017). The dish is made from fava bean, olive oil, garlic, cumin, coriander, onions, lemon juice, vegetables, and chopped fresh parsley often served with bread or injera. It has a high content of protein and fiber. Fava beans are a good calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus source, essential for bone health. The dish is served in a communal bowl reflecting the Sudanese culture of sharing meals.

Ful Mademas holds cultural significance and is associated with celebrations and community gatherings.

DeMaria, D.(2017). A Taste of Sudan. https://www.arabamerica.com/a-taste-of-sudan/

Sudanese Cultural Clothes

tendaishoriwac — 2024-08-24 16:45:22 UTC

The traditional attire for men is known as Jabaliya or Jellabiya- a long, loose, fitting white or brown robe ( Culture Diversity Resources, 2014). It is wide-cut, ankle length, with long wide sleeves. The reason it is light colored or brown is to reduce sweating. They also wear a headdress (skull cap or a turban). The traditional shoes are made of bovine leather or crocodile skin and are known as Marquinhos. Women wear garments embellished with embroidery, stitchwork, and rhinestones known as thawbs or thobe. They are long, colorful fabrics typically worn over a dress or a skirt.

Cultural Diversity Resources(2014). South Sudan Traditional and Modern Clothing.

https://www.culturaldiversityresources.org/single-post/spotlight-on-culture-38

Domain 1: Cultural Responsive Clinical Response Framework

tendaishoriwac — 2024-08-24 16:45:22 UTC

For me, the most relevant competency standard was 1.3 which states the importance of recognising ethno-specific variations and health disparities in migrant and refugee populations. I have improved my understanding of how people from different backgrounds may experience unique conditions, or cultural practices affecting their health. For example, patients from South Asian backgrounds may have a higher prevalence of conditions like cardiovascular disease requiring interventions. I have improved my understanding of how limited access to healthcare results in delayed treatment. Having learned that acknowledging these disparities enables me to provide more personalised care. This skill is essential to me in my workplace because it improves health outcomes.

Competency Standards Framework For Clinicians (2019). Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds. https://culturaldiversityhealth.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Culturally-responsive-clinical-practice-Working-with-people-from-migrant-and-refugee-backgrounds-Jan2019.pdf

Principal Health Issues Sudanese Refugees Face

tendaishoriwac — 2024-08-24 16:45:22 UTC

The ongoing violence and conflict in South Sudan have resulted in 4.3 million displaced people. Many South Sudanese people in Australia arrived between 2001 and 2006 as refugees (Refugee Council of Australia, 2018).

One common health issue refugees are likely to present is mental health (Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide, 2018).

According to UNHCR (2022), refugees experience higher levels of psychological distress due to having experienced traumatic events such as war, and persecution.

Counseling is important as it helps them overcome the psychological and emotional challenges of displacement, and aids in their journey toward recovery and integration into new society.

Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide(2018). Mental Health. https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/mental-health/

Refugee Council of Australia (2018).Key facts on the conflict in South Sudan. https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/south-sudan/

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Australia (2001). Mental Health and Psychological Support. https://www.unhcr.org/au/what-we-do/safeguard-human-rights/public-health/mental-health-and-psychosocial-support.

Social Inclusion and Non-Discrimination Determinants of Health for Sudanese Refugees

tendaishoriwac — 2024-08-24 16:45:22 UTC

According to WHO (2019), social inclusion and non-discrimination are important determinants of health. Sudanese often experience discrimination which limits them from accessing employment, pushing them into low-paying, unstable jobs, usually affecting their ability to afford healthcare (Ziersch et al., 2020).

They also face language barriers when accessing healthcare services resulting in low-quality care and misdiagnosis which worsens existing health conditions (Rasi, R,.2020).

Some feel excluded from community and social support networks, making it harder to seek help leading to increased mental health concerns, such as stress, anxiety, PTSD, and feelings of marginalisation which may lead to poor health outcomes.

Rasi, S.,(2020). Review Article: Impact of Language Barriers on Access to Healthcare Services by Immigrant Patients. Asia-Pacific Journal of Health Management, 15(1),1-14.https://journal.achsm.org.au/index.php/achsm/article/view/271/269

Ziersch,A., Due, C., Walsh, M.(2020). Discrimination: A health hazard for people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds resettled in Australia. BMC Public Health, 108 (2020),https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-019-8068-3

World Health Organisation (2019). Social Determinants of Health. https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1