Secrets of Health in Sundanese Culture !

Health in Sundanese Culture

Before entering the discussion on health in Sundanese culture, the definition of health according to the World Health Organization (WHO) in Jacob and Sandjaya’s research (2018) is a condition not only free from disease or infirmity, but also a balance between physical, mental, and social functions. Balance between physical, mental, and social functions. So that the measurement of quality of life quality of life related to health includes three areas of function, namely: physical, psychological (cognitive and emotional), and social.

In Sundanese culture, the understanding of health has a unique meaning. In this article, we will explore the term ‘Health in Sundanese Culture’ as well as the different views on physical and mental health that are unique to Sundanese tradition. Physical and mental health, or ‘cageur,’ is very important in Sundanese life. The term ‘cageur’ encompasses both physical and psychological health, and in this culture, ‘cageur’ health is the main focus.

The word “health” in the Big Indonesian Dictionary is defined as (1) being in good condition of the whole body and its parts. In addition, (2) having good health, (3) recovering from illness, and (4) being in a normal state. There is a difference in the meaning of the word “healthy” in Indonesian and Sundanese. The word “healthy” in Sundanese is “damang”, “cageur”, or “waras”. The meaning is somewhat different from what the KBBI indicates that “healthy” is more likely to indicate a physical state. In contrast, “cageur” in Sundanese includes both physical and psychological health.

Physical Health in Sundanese Culture

In Indonesian, one can say that a person suffering from typhoid is “unhealthy”. However, in Sundanese, it cannot be said that a person is “teu cageur” or “teu waras”. This is because the words “teu cageur” or “teu waras” refer more to psychological health.

However, the word “teu damang” is often used, which is a variety of lemes language, but this word also has a double meaning because it can refer to both physical and mental health (Muhtadin, et al., 2013, p. 11). Therefore, what is meant by “health” in this paper is what Sundanese people understand as “sanity”, including both physical and mental health.

Sundanese-Indonesian Health Terms

Gering in Sundanese means sick or teu damang. Its derivatives such as geringan are defined as people who are often sick. In addition, it is also referred to as ririwit or tiktikbrek. Another word is gegeringan, defined as pretending to be sick. Sometimes, it is intentional to be sick. There is also the term “kagegeringan” which means being sick because of a problem. Other terms related to health in Sundanese culture can be seen as follows:

1. Aking: kering, kuru aking ngajangjawing an expression for someone who is thin and dry
2. Alus, kasakit alus: smallpox, is an expression for a person who has smallpox so that the scars are not visible (bopeng).
3. Anak: pianakan: the uterus, where the baby is in the belly; turun pianakan: the uterus is displaced downward, prolapsus uteri (Lat)
4. Baruang: poison; ngabaruang: to poison.
5. Batek; ngabatek: To pull a hand or foot so that the joint returns to its original place, repositioning.
6. Begang: thin; begéng: very thin; begung: emaciated.
7. Beuheul, kabeuheulan: is to choke or get a fish barb stuck in the esophagus; kabeubeuheulan: meaning is to be unable to defecate because of hardened feces.
8. Beuteung: stomach; beuteung anjingeun: a large upper stomach; ngabeuteungan nyusu: to stop breastfeeding a child.
9. Cageur: Health; nyageurkeun: To cause to become well; kacageuran: Health.
10. Gélo: the A sickness of memory; kagégéloan:A sickness that behaves like a madman, such as the death of a child.
11. Kabungbulengan: Infatuation caused by the death of a loved one.
12. Limpeuran: Forgetting to put things away or do work.

References:

As a reliable source of information, this article draws on a variety of references from both books and academic journals. These sources provide well-researched and credible insights, ensuring that the content presented is accurate and supported by established scholarly materials.

Here are the references from the article above.

• Muhtadin, T., et al. (2013) Dictionary of Health Terms in Sundanese Culture. Bandung: PT Kiblat Buku Utama.

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