Cultural Affiliation:

I was born in Morocco 24 years ago. I was raised within the Moroccan culture for 17 years before I moved to the USA. It is fair to say that nowadays, most Moroccans resolve health problems through professional medical assistance from a qualified doctor. However, for the purpose of this assignment, we will only discuss the ancient cultural ways of treating and healing health related issues.

Beliefs about Current Illness:

The health problem I have is Ulcer. I believe that severe stress and lots of coffee consumption has played an important role in causing it. I started suffering from this health issue about 15 years ago. This sickness makes my body weak. In addition, when I am under stress and I consume any sort of acidic food, my stomach rejects it and I end up throwing up. What I fear more about my sickness is its potential to develop to become a cancer. This health issue has made me more self conscience about my health and sure brought my family closer, as they care for my well being.

Healthcare Practices:

Moroccans have many different practices to maintain health, for example; the types of food consumed daily are mostly seasonal, not processed or GMO foods. The culture promotes home cooking instead of fast food. Every household uses a variety of herbs and spices while cooking. Among these herbs and spices we find: cumin, cinnamon, oregano, turmeric, cilantro…etc. Other activities such as walking, and house chores which mostly require some sort of cardio are also utilized to keep healthy. Moreover, Moroccans enjoy outdoor and family activities. The feel of union, the love, and the care for surrounding members definitely contributes in keeping Moroccans not only physically but also mentally healthy.

Illness Beliefs and Care Practices:

The following is a list of different care practices:

1) In case of a stomachache, Moroccans use Cumin through swallowing a table spoon with some water. Also another remedy for the same issue would be sugar and dark tea leaves mixed together and swallowed with water. 2) For Diarrhea, we use Garlic. 3) For chest pain, Moroccans use olive oil, either through normal consumption, or through warming the oil and massaging the chest with it. 4) For Tonsils pain, we drink squeezed lemons with pure honey. 5) For Ear pain, we use onion water and olive oil through massaging the inside and outside of the ear with the mixture of the above ingredients. As a side note, it is fair to mention that most Moroccans practice first aid at home most of the time. The scenarios above point out some of the practices, to which we can add that when an accident such us a finger’s cut is first treated with ground coffee or Paprika.

PS) Most Moroccans would rather use an old way of health treatment than consume medicine prescribed by doctors. We believe in the old way of doing things and so far it has worked just fine. Moroccans also have the tendency to believe and trust an elder’s diagnose of certain health issues.

PS) Healthy natural food, moderate workout through mostly walking, and activities that require cardio, and quality family time are what keep Moroccans healthy in my opinion.

Family Life and Support System:

My family has many members. Tracking just the close family, I can easily count 7 uncles and 8 aunts, and approximately 40 cousins and about 10 2nd cousins. Additionally; 2 grandfathers, one grandmother, and two great grandmothers are still alive.
In my family duties have been separated the old fashion way, where the man is the bread winner and the woman is the home keeper, and children raiser.

When it comes to healthcare consultation, it always starts with close members of family whom we believe to be health wise knowledgeable, then seeking a professional assistance comes second.