Ua neeb khu: a Hmong American healing ceremony.
Lisa L Capps
Journal of Holistic Nursing November 1, 2010 DOI: 10.1177/0898010110385940 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative ethnographic case study with participant observation Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | An elderly Hmong American male residing in a midwestern city in the United States |
| Topics | Shamanism |
| Keywords | Humans Chronic disease Holistic health Spiritual therapies Ceremonial behavior Spirituality Cultural characteristics Aged United states Male Asian |
| Key findings | The authors describe how, through ritual exchange and reciprocal transaction between the spirit and living worlds, the shaman facilitated resolution of the spiritual problem and promoted the patient's healing and sense of well-being. They argue that awareness of the symbolic aspects of ua neeb khu ritual and its relationship to the patient's worldview is useful for health practitioners seeking a holistic understanding of Hmong American healing practices. |
Abstract
Ua neeb khu (pronounced "oo-ah neng kue") is a ceremonial healing practice engaged in by Hmong Americans for the treatment of various health problems involving spiritually focused concerns that only a shaman practitioner is qualified to treat. A qualitative ethnographic case study method with participant observation was used to analyze a spiritual healing ceremony performed by a shaman healer (txiv neeb) for an elderly Hmong American male residing in a midwestern city in the United States. The healing ritual was filmed and reviewed with the shaman healer to identify symbolic meanings and processes. Through ritual exchange and reciprocal transaction between the spirit and living world, the shaman facilitated the resolution of the spiritual problem and promoted the patient's healing and sense of well-being. Awareness of the symbolic aspects of ritual in ua neeb khu and the relationship to the patient's world view is useful to health practitioners for a holistic understanding of Hmong American healing practices.
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on shamanism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brain changes during a shamanic trance: Altered modes of consciousness, hemispheric laterality, and systemic psychobiology A normal subject with extensive training in the Mongolian shamanic tradition | 2017 | Case study | n = 1 |
| The Diaspora of Brazilian Religions | 2013 | Ethnographic case studies | |
| Transformation in Dang-ki Healing: The Embodied Self and Perceived Legitimacy. A male dang-ki, 10 temple assistants, and 9 clients at a shrine in Singapore | 2016 | Case study | n = 20 |
| (Neo)Shamanic Dialogues Members of a Guarani Indian village on the Atlantic coast of Santa Catarina, Brazil | 2012 | Case study | |
| Kambô: A Shamanic Medicine - Personal Testimonies | 2018 | Case study |