Comanche Ghost Sickness

Comanche ghost sickness manifests in paralysis of one half of the face. Culturally, ghost sickness is caused by a malevolent ghost striking the face of its victim, resulting in an immediate unilateral facial paralysis. Protection from ghosts can be secured by taking preventive actions such as being with someone when outside at night, carrying red cedar berries, and/or smudging (fumigating) one’s home with cedar smoke. Ghost sickness is considered one of the most terrifying and defiling events that a Comanche person can experience. The Comanche Nation is an American Indian tribe in southwest Oklahoma with a population of about 8,000. Neighboring tribes, some of whom have similar ghost beliefs, include the Kiowa, Kiowa-Apache, Caddo, and Ft. Sill Apache. To effectively communicate and offer appropriate therapy ...