TRADITIONAL BELIEFS OF TURKO-MONGOLIAN PEOPLES OF INNER ASIA ABOUT SKIN DISEASES: NATURE OF DISEASE AND TREATMENT METHODS

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33876/2224-9680/2019-2-18/14

Abstract

The article analyzes the corpus of beliefs of Turko-Mongolian peoples about skin covering diseases, as well as corresponding magical healing methods. These diseases included dermatological lesions (scabies, favus, tinea, erysipelas, allergic skin rashes) and other diseases accompanied by symptoms on the skin (chickenpox, smallpox, measles, syphilis). Origins of most skin diseases were associated with the fire in the home hearth. Another reason for such diseases in Turko-Mongolian beliefs was animals staying in mythological connection with fire: wolf/dog, eagle. The article represents a circle of people who know the art of healing skin diseases, and the healing methods practiced by them. An analysis of the materials allows us to conclude that, as understood by Turko-Mongols, the link between skin diseases and fire was based on visual similarity of burns and other skin lesions, as well as on beliefs about spirits punishing people for their misconducts.

Citation link:

Sodnompilova M. M. (2019). Tradicionnye predstavlenija tjurko-mongol’skih narodov Vnutrennej Azii o zabolevanijah kozhi: priroda zabolevanij i priemy lechenija Traditional Beliefs of Turko-Mongolian Peoples of Inner Asia about Skin Diseases: Nature of Disease and Treatment Methods. Medicinskaja antropologija i biojetika [Medical Anthropology and Bioethics], 18 (2).

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