Mark Münzel

Der Medizinmann bei den Kamayura in Zentralbrasilien

Die Kamayura sind eine indianische Ethnie der Tupi-Sprachfamilie in der zentralbrasilianischen Region Alto Xingu, wo ich mich 1967/1968 zur Feldforschung aufhielt (naheres dazu und zum Medizinmannwesen bei den Kamayura s. MuNZEL 1971, 1973. Aus der Vielzahl neuerer Arbeiten uber die Kamayura und kulturell verwandte Gruppen des Alto Xingu kann ich hier nur wenige herausgreifen: AGOSTHINHO 1970, 1974 a,b; BAER o.J.; BASSO 1973; GREGOR 1977; JUNQUEIRA 1975; MENENZES BASTOS 1978; MONODBECQUELIN 1975; VIERTLER 1969; VILLAS BOAS 1970).

Bone health of the Ovahimba people of north-western Namibia in the context of urbanization and a change of the sociocultural environment

Abstract The prevalence of osteoporosis in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries is low, however, as urbanization takes root, it is predicted that bone health will decrease dramatically. The bone health of the semi-nomadic Ovahimba people of Namibia was investigated in the context of urbanization and changes of the sociocultural environment. Furthermore, data on bone health in SSA countries is scarce; there exists no ethnic-specific reference group for people of black origin. Included in the study were 98 urban and rural living Ovahimba people. Quantitative ultrasound was performed, sunrise/sunset saliva cortisol concentrations was measured and a questionnaire was conducted. There was no significant difference in the QUS parameters, however, after adjustment for confounders, SOS and SI differed significantly. The saliva cortisol concentrations differed significantly. After adjustment for confounders, saliva cortisol was significantly negatively correlated to SOS (r= −0.27, p = 0.021) giving an indication for an association between cortisol concentration and QUS parameters. The urban group furthermore showed a nutritional transition. Even though the bone health of the Ovahimba is very good, first signs of the adverse effects of urbanization were detected. Beside changes of lifestyle, this may be attributed to an increased cortisol exposure of the Ovahimba people living in an urban environment due to an increased psychosocial stress.