More than medicine: A different view of health

Western medicine treats the body, but for Yolŋu people, health is something much bigger. Wellbeing is tied to land, kinship, and the natural environment, passed down through generations. This traditional way of looking at health and wellbeing has sustained Yolŋu communities for centuries, but today, it exists alongside Western healthcare. In this episode, Dr. Sarah Hanieh speaks with Marcus Lacey to explore Yolŋu perspectives on health, the vital role of country in healing, and why these traditions remain essential in today’s world.

Marcus Lacy and Dr Sarah Hanieh Credit: Lindy Marlow

For Yolŋu people, true wellbeing is inseparable from land, kinship, and spiritual balance. Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on physical symptoms, Yolŋu healing traditions view health holistically-through connection to country, ancestors, and community.

For Yolngu, health is more than being alive. It's making sure that we look after spirituality, look after the connection that we have, with our community, with our family.

Marcus Lacey

This episode explores Yolŋu perspectives on health and healing, where nature, community, and spirituality play just as vital a role as physical care. Marcus Lacey discusses the role of country in maintaining wellbeing, the importance of understanding and respecting the land as a source of healing, and the challenges of balancing traditional healing with modern healthcare.

But as life in Galiwin’ku continues to change, how can Yolŋu health traditions continue to thrive? And what can we all learn from a different way of thinking about health?

Credits:

Two Worlds, One Health is created by Dr Sarah Hanieh

Field Host: Dr Sarah Hanieh

Studio Host: Kerri-Lee Barry

Production assistance: Lindy Marlow

Audio assistance: Tom Hayman

Artwork: Ruth Gulamanda Dhurrkay and Rickisha Banba Gurruwiwi

Theme music: Luki Manymak Ngatha, Uncle Jimmy Thumbs Up LTD 2010 and singer/writer Shellie Morris

Photo credit: Lindy Marlow

Mixed by Max Gosford

Thanks to Joel Supple for her guidance.

This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Yolŋu people in Galiwin’ku. I pay my respect to their Elders, past and present, and acknowledge their ongoing connection to the land, water, and culture.

Links: www.thumbsup.org.au