Illness in Ashéninka Communities: Susto and Air Shock

Abstract

The author describes cultural syndromes from the Ashéninka perspective of the Upper Ucayali: susto, air shock, cutipo, mal de gente, sorcery, witchcraft, pusanga, and berbaje. The author then focuses on the treatment of two of these conditions: air shock and susto. In addition, the author points out that health is understood not only as the absence of illness, but also as a state of balance in relationships with spirits, the human community, and the deceased.