Chapter #3

     Through the book, Mountains Beyond Mountains, by Tracy Kidder, I have gained an understanding and new perspective regarding Haitian culture.  According to the book, the people in Haiti believe that diseases and misfortunes are a consequence of sorcery.  In chapter three, Farmer is compared to Voodoo priests through a similie, where they are alike in that both know "how to contend with maji" (page 27 paragraph 2).  "Haitians believe in sorcery because their culture has evolved in the absence of effective medicine" (page 27 paragraph 3). These references show how the depressive state and lack of treatment for their medical needs leads to Haitians search for an explanation to their suffering. Therefore, they believe sorcery and magic is to blame for sicknesses among the people.  The idea of medicine helping cure a disease is a new and effective idea which Haitians will never take forgranted.  I found this interesting because after all these years, treatment is finally bringing a new light to Haiti. These cures give a logical and scientific approach to an alternative belief from Haitian culture, and ultimately bring hope to this horror struck country.