Soc Sci Med. 1996 Jul; 43(1): 13-21.

The healing significance of the Negev's Bedouin Dervish.

al-Krenawi A, Graham JR, Maoz B.

Department of Social Work, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.

Among the Bedouins of the Negev desert, Israel, there are Dervish healers specializing in what are now called psychiatric disorders. Five Dervish (three male, two female) were interviewed and observed with reference to concepts of etiology, symptom classification, diagnosis, stages of treatment, and aftercare. The conclusion examines reasons why Bedouins might want to seek treatment from a Dervish, rather than a modern health care practitioner.