course material

1. American Indians and Health/Illness
American Indians and Health/IllnessSeminoles are a part of American Indians who have
inhabited Florida. The Seminoles are descendant of Indians who were left behind after the
Seminoles war in 1842. They inhabit the Everglades part of Florida. Though they have
changed with time they still carry on with their practices. According to Englar (2002), the
Seminoles are arranged in nine clans and descent is counted from the mother’ s side. These
clans are named after animals like the panther, wildcat, and tiger just to name a few.
Although each American Indian tribe has its beliefs some of the practices are general.Birth /
death beliefsThe Seminoles life of birth and death was believed to be that of reincarnation.
This meant that a person could die and then another person is born to replace them in
character and role(Spector, 2009). Birth was considered a blessing since life was holy.
Death on the other hand was a transition to another life. Death was caused by super natural
power (King, 2006). The Seminoles believed that life after death was determined by ones
fate. One could reincarnate as a person or as an animal. One could also become a ghost and
go to another. Death of a person was accompanied by mourning. Once a person died
ceremonies were carried out to help in the transition of that person to another
world.Health/ illness beliefsThe Seminoles believed that health was living in total harmony
with nature and having the ability to survive under exceedingly difficult circumstances
(MacCauley, 2008). Human beings are said to be intimate with nature. The earth and the
body have the ability of being either healthy or not healthy. One is expected to treat their
body with respect. Once the body is harmed the earth is as well harmed. The body should
therefore be protected to stay healthy.Illness or disease was caused by lack of protection
from supernatural powers. Protection is offered by wearing charms. Illness was also caused
by interference of the body by a material object which was caused by sorcery or absence of
a free soul in the body. They also believed there is a reason for illness or pain (King, 2006).
It can be a price being paid for something that happened in the past or will happen in the
future.Who is their healer?The Seminoles believed in a medicine man or a woman as their
healer. They sought all their medical attention from the medicine man or woman. They
understood better the relationship between humans and the earth. They understood the
planets, sun and the moon(Spector, 2007). To cure an illness they took their time then had
to engage in a mission to find a cure for the illness. They would perform ceremonies in
order to find these cures (Englar, 2002). Cure of different illnesses were found from plants,
animals and other natural things. A healer could have the role of a medicine man/ woman, a
spokesman and a spiritual leader.ConclusionIn a nutshell, the Seminoles are descendant of

2. Indians, left behind after the Seminoles war in 1842. Seminoles believed in reincarnation
and also in the Supreme Being and the powers of a medicine man or woman who acts as a
go between. However, they have with time forgotten their culture and incorporated
themselves with the American cultures.References:Englar, M. (2002). The Seminole: The
First People of Florida. Minnesota: Capstone Press.King, D. (2006). The Seminole. London:
Marshall Cavendish.MacCauley, C. (2008). The Seminole Indians of Florida. South Carolina:
BiblioBazaarSpector, R. E. (2009). Cultural diversity in health and illness. (7th ed.). Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, Chapter 8, part 1: Retrieved on 25th January 2012
from:http://dl.dropbox.com/u/47566859/Cultural%20Diversity%20Chapter%208/Cultur
al%20Diversity%201.pdfChapter 8, part 2: Retrieved on 25th January 2012 from:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/47566859/Cultural%20Diversity%20Chapter%208/Cultural%2
0Diversity%202.pdfChapter 8, part 3: Retrieved on 25th January 2012 from
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/47566859/Cultural%20Diversity%20Chapter%208/Cultural%2
0Diversity%203.pdf