Sukia ha nahki wina taki ai warkka daukiba “How sukias do their job ‘’

Abstract

This text in Miskito has as its theme the sukia, which can be translated “healer or witch doctor”. The sukias fulfilled the functions of a physician in traditional Miskito society. They managed to survive despite the antipathy of the Moravian missionaries, mostly due to the high cost of the medicine imported by the Moravians. Today very few professional sukias remain, but many Costeños retain some knowledge of traditional medicine. A venerable and respected elder, Catholic deacon of the Miskito community of Kisalaya, Rio Coco (Wangki).