Experience of dreams with manifest content of food (food dreams) among 431 Nigerians

bibliographic database
Line

Periodical article

Title:	Experience of dreams with manifest content of food (food dreams) among 431 Nigerians
Author:	Ohaeri, Jude U.
Year:	1998
Periodical:	Psychopathologie africaine (ISSN 0033-314X)
Volume:	29
Issue:	1
Pages:	23-39
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs.
Geographic terms:	Nigeria West Africa
Subjects:	dreams food Philosophy, Psychology psychology Traditional culture Social and cultural anthropology Mental stress Health surveys
Abstract:	Dreams with manifest content of food elements, or food dreams, have been reported as contributing to the intensification of psychological symptoms. Among the Yoruba of Nigeria, they are interpreted to connote adverse influence of supernatural forces. The author carried out a study among 431 Nigerians - students and government workers - in order to highlight the pattern and meaning attributed to food dreams among various ethnic groups, as well as the psychosocial factors associated with their responses. He found that food dreams were significantly more prevalent among southern groups than among those of the north. Yoruba and minority groups from the southeast were more likely to ascribe supernatural meaning to food dreams. There was also a relationship with membership of a Pentecostal church. In discussing the findings, the author uses Freudian and Jungian postulates to articulate the meaning of food dreams to the dreamer. In conclusion, he discusses the sociocultural and clinical implications of the study. Bibliogr., note, sum. in English and French.