7-2
HELPING PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THE STRENGTHS
IN THEIR TRADITIONS
Of the 3 common mistakes in teaching about traditions (looking down on them,
seeing no wrong in them, or ignoring them), the first is the worst. Even when
health workers are villagers themselves, there is danger of their becoming so full of
new ideas that they lose respect for the health-protecting traditions of the people.
If this happens, they can easily make people feel small and ashamed, rather than
more self-confident.
A training course should emphasize what is valuable in local tradition. It needs to
explore ways that build on old traditions rather than ignoring or rejecting them. This
can be done in a number of ways:
• Have the group discuss habits, customs, and beliefs in their own communities,
especially those that are health protecting.
• Invite older men and women to class to discuss the origins of some of the old
customs and beliefs.
• On home visits, students can observe and ask about traditional ways of doing
things. Later they can discuss which seem most valuable, and which harmful.
They can do this for both new customs and old.
• Encourage students to find out
(through books, letters, and perhaps
experiments) if and how some of
the traditional ways of healing work.
(Many countries have research groups
investigating traditional medicine. You
may want to contact and cooperate
with these groups.)
• Explore ways of introducing new
ideas by building on people’s beliefs
and traditions, rather than showing
disrespect. This can be done first
through role playing, then through
actual practice in clinic and community.
• Copy sheets that list or describe
valuable local customs. Health
workers can use these for group
discussions in their communities.
Or better still, the group can make
up such a sheet from their own
experiences.
From Ideas for Community Projects
on Medicinal Plants. AKAP—
Philippines.
• Tell stories and give examples of ways in which other health workers have
helped people begin to do things in new ways by building on their older
customs.
We provide several such stories and examples on the following pages. But these are
only ‘examples of examples’. It will be far better if you choose mostly examples from
your own area.