The Swahilis traditional approach to mental health issues: a case of Swahilis of Mombasa

Abstract

Mental disorders are illnesses the affect ones mental faculties and abilities. Mental illness cannot be generalised to indicate only complete loss of mental faculties. The illnesses can be further categorised depending on the symptoms of the affected person. Recognition and treatment ofdifferent types of mental illness vary across cultures. Culture is the way of life of a given group of people. This study specifically looks at the Swahilis traditional approach to mental health issues from recognising the different mental illnesses and traditional interventions made to cure these mental illnesses. Key words: Mental illness, Swahilis, Intervention.