While traveling, Jack fell ill and was in much pain. During this time their host took good care of them. In traditional Kurdish culture, health is considered to be a blessing from God. Jack learned that Kurds have some definite opinions on causes of illness. The two Westerners told me that their host said the illness could be from old or rotten food causing food poisoning, or too much noise and tension causing headaches. Other ideas expressed were more spiritual: God’s punishment, offending or harming cin (jinn, spirits), retribution for wrongdoing, worrying or being the victim of maliciously intended magic.There seems to be a sense of a combination of superstition and the supernatural. One example of this is that some believe a person’s hair and nails are an extension of one’s self and, when trimmed, they should be safeguarded in a special place rather than thrown away.
Jack, who was recounting his recent experience to me, added that although he really felt ill and had severe stomach pain, he tried not to complain a lot. His host noticed his brave face and told him he admired him. He explained that he and his friends admire an appearance of strength rather than weakness. The host added that his community believed it was important to be by the side of the very ill -- to sit by the side of that person and to sympathize, all the while offering words of encouragement such as: “It will pass!” and “God gave problems and remedies to them.”
I think there are some similarities in the two cultures -- that is, Turkish and Kurdish. Many of my Turkish friends have said the same as Jack’s host did. In fact, I shared with some of my Turkish friends about my knee surgery tomorrow, and some of them told me similar things.
As I listened to Jack I thought about how so many actions and expressions seem so similar. For example, Turks believe that yogurt is good for many ailments. Turks and Kurds both have traditional remedies and medicines, especially those involving herbs.
I tried to keep a straight face when Jack said he’d never had so much yogurt in his life as he had on his recent trip. I’d never been much of a yogurt eater before coming to Turkey. Yogurt is considered good for general stomach problems, and Kurds take it a step further than my Turkish friends: Evidently, they tied a scarf tightly around Jack’s forehead to help with his headache. My Turkish friends have not done that to me yet.
Some of us Westerners may remember some of our grandmothers’ home remedies. I do. After all, in America, a colonial household could not function properly without an herb garden. Housewives were well informed about herbs, and their uses and were prepared for any emergency -- whether it was seasoning food, deodorizing a home for guests or being a caregiver to someone ill or injured. My colonial ancestors learned about the garden’s medicinal value from native Europeans, who may have learned from countries further East.
It seems that Kurds believe in special healing powers. Jack’s host asked him if he should go consult with the religious leader, who was known to cure with special powers. The most common remedy is to make an amulet with a verse from a holy book or prepare an armband that holds verses from the Qur’an, the İncil (the Gospels) or the Meshefa Reş (the holy book of the Yazidis). You are supposedly not to open it or read the contents. The person who wears it will be healed or protected from harm. It is not unusual for some people who have fallen ill to travel a great distance to request healing from these people with special powers. Jack convinced his host that he believed he was in good hands and to just bring the local physician.
In Turkey visitors are surprised by the wide range of healthcare available. Many Westerners who work in rural areas or neighboring countries fly to İstanbul to receive the latest medical care. Excellent modern medicine and the latest technology are available at private hospitals.
“Our human pain reverberates in God’s most innermost self.” -- Henri Nouwen
Note: Charlotte McPherson is the author of “Culture Smart: Turkey, 2005.” Please keep your questions and observations coming: I want to ensure this column is a help to you, Today’s Zaman’s readers. Email: c.mcpherson@todayszaman.com
