Pac Health Dialog. 2001 Mar; 8(1): 78-82.

Traditional Tongan medicine and the role of traditional Tongan healers in New Zealand.

Toafa V, Moata'ane L, Guthrie BE.

Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand.

The aim of the study was to investigate the role of traditional Tongan healers in New Zealand. Qualitative interviews were carried out with twenty nine healers who were contacted through community networks. Every healer was unique in the kinds of ailments they treated which included fakamahaki (spirit related illnesses), lavea (physical injuries), hangatamaki (a wide group of traditional illnesses) and mahaki (non specific symptoms). Healing was seen as an act of love and service for the community for which it was inappropriate to charge. Healing skills and powers were passed on within families through the use of special rituals. The nature and attitude of the healer was regarded as being very important; the efficacy of the healing was seen to be more a function of the healer than the treatment used. Referrals to other healers and general practitioners were common. The healers expressed concern about the lack of understanding of their role by the western health system. There is a need for an increased understanding of the cultural basis of all systems of health care.