Language/Wolof/Culture/Self-medication

You should encourage people to go to health structures and to avoid self-medication. It’s really common to see people asking for medication or buy in the shop of the village a pill without even knowing what’s wrong with them.

• Mbaa yaangi tane? Are you feeling better?

• Mbaa yaangi tane? Is the right question you need to ask to a sick when you meet him or visit him, it’s a sign of compassion. When people know that you are sick too, they’ll ask you the same question. But, even if you are not getting better, you should not respond by “no”. The appropriate answer is “yes” that even if you not feeling well and they know it. If you feel really better, just tell “tane naa bu baax sax” (I really feel ok).

The right responses that people expect from you are:

• Maangi tane ndank-ndank rekk. I’m getting better just a bit.
• “Maangi tane tuuti rekk. Maangi tane, tane Wolof rekk. I’m getting better in a Wolof way.
• Maangi sant Yalla. I’m thanking God.

Source

http://publish.illinois.edu/wolof201fall14/files/2014/08/NEW_WOLOF_BOOK.pdf

Related Lessons

• Ndéwènal
• The concept of “Inchallah”
• How to deal with caste
• Social stratification or caste
• Shameful diseases
• What are you expected to do
• Baptism or naming ceremony
• Funerals
• Giving directions