Last night i view our WordPress Traffic report and see who view us and i found that there are 5 views coming from Norway. So i started to check on this European Country and check it’s Traditional Medicine.
Norway , officially as the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic Country in Northern Europe whose territory comprises the western and northern most portion of the Scandanavian peninsula; the remote island of Jan Mayen and the archipelago of Svalbard are also part of the Kingdom of Norway. The Name Norge which means “The Northern Way” originally pertained to a region of the country before political consolidation under Harald the Fair-Haired around 900 C.E. In later use, the country’s name indicates its location on the northern periphery of Europe. Oslo is the Capital City of Norway and their form of Government is Unitary Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy ruled by a King and their State Religion is Christianity where the King is the head of the State Church employing Bishops and Priest in the administrative structure.
The Traditional Medicine of Norway is shaped by both Christianity and Traditional Sami (an Indigenous group in Norway) Nature Worship. The healing rituals may include prayer, the use of tools such as moss, water, stones, wools and soil. In Norway, Traditional Healing is categorized as Traditional Medicine and itsa modalities offered are cupping, blood-stemming, laying on of hands, healing prayers and rituals. The Traditional Healers are mostly non-professional and non-commercial therapist.
According to World Health Organization, almost everyone in Norway is allowed to treat patients, regardless of training or profession. However, only allopathic physicians, and to some extent dentists and persons assisting physicians and under the guidance of a physician, are allowed to use the title “Doctor of Medicine”, use a title indicating a specialty in a specific illness, or advertise- although anyone can place an announcement in the press that contains only a name, address, consultation hours, and general information on services provided.
It is quite interesting to know that there is a Traditional Medicine practice in Norway that is known as Guvllar. Guvllar means traditional healer, the other term used for traditional healer are “buorideaddji” (healer) “diehti” (one who knows), and “oaidnu” (clairvoyant). All of these terms originates from “noaidevuohta” who is a pre Christian Priest/ Healer of Norway like our very own Babaylan in the Philippines.
A noaidi has the ability to listen and see beyond the appearance of all things, and to understand their true nature; a disseminator of knowledge, and also an artist, seer and lecturer in addition to being a healer. Aside from this i found one distinct characteristic of Noadi that is similar to the Babaylan is that the ancestor spirits make a human aware of his or her abilities by creating disturbances, for example by giving the future shaman a mental disorder or illness that will lead to a near death experience. Through these experiences can the new shaman become aware of his or her gifts and calling as a shaman.
As i search to understand the Traditional Medicine of Norway, i saw a video in YouTube that describes its Traditional Medicine. Let us watch this video posted by Rachel Gessner published on January 29, 2016.
I got another video found and its an interview with the Grand Grand Daughter of a Famous Traditional Healer in Norway.
Are you from Norway? What do you think about this article? Share your thoughts to us by making comment below. We love to hear your thoughts.
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Until then, May you all Blessed Be Peace!
Hilot Academy of Binabaylan 