A cross-cultural look at the human practices of the Embera Chamí culture

Abstract

Objetive: To know the care practices used by Embera Chami mothers of children under 5 years
of age with Acute Respiratory Infections attending the Hospital Universitario San Jorge.
Methodology:The approach to this research is qualitative, based on an inductive process. The research method is Ethno-Nursing, designed by the anthropologist nurse Lenninger in 1985, (1) derived from ethnography and based on the theory of diversity and universality of cultural care.
Results: After analyzing the interview with 6 key informants, 2 central topics were obtained. First Topic: Conventional medicine practices of the Embera, from which emerged two patterns which were denominated Jaibana, source of specific care and cultural appropriation of the mothers. For them it is essential to go to the Jaibana when their children are sick because they occupy a high rank in the community and trust in what he determines for the child’s health. Second Topic: Cultural care of Embera Chami mothers, with their respective patterns: Identification of the mother as primary caregiver and Family and social factor for care. Mother Embera Chami cares for the well-being of her sick child, follows the instructions by the Jaibana, this phenomenon is considered by Leininger as a “protective care”.
Conclusion: culture is the broadest, most comprehensive, holistic and universal aspect of human beings. It is for this reason that the care of the Embera is determined by the Jaibana as a form of cultural care.