Abstract
This article on health representations among popular groups in Nicaragua starts from the hypothesis that such representations are central in the reproduction of society. The first part studies the system of representations of health and of illnesse in precolum bian society, where they are part of a general myth explanatory of the universe and of society. In this same first part the A. ex amines what was brought by Spanish colonization: social reproduction is assured by collective festivals, which are also the place for the accomplishment of the promises to the saints, pro tectors against illnesses. The introduction of modern medecine has coincided with the penetration of an agrarian capitalism, bringing also representations of health as a commodity. The se cond part of the article is based on a survey made among some 500 persons of popular milieux, rural and urban. It shows the dif ferences in the representations, along the lines of three main models: the traditional is based on a sacred approach to the causes of illnesses. It is to be found especially among rural workers, whereas members of cooperatives show a certain erosion of this model. The second model is the refusal of the first one, typical of urban groups having gone through secondary educa tion. The last model is characterized by ignorance of the tradi tional representations, but without other positions: it is the fact of individuals among various groups. A series of new practical knowledges in the medical field are shared by the three groups, in dicating that alphabetization campaigns and the health education has a result in this area. But they do not suffice to transform the main interpretations. Other factors are necessary, like the socio economic change brought about by Land Reform in the rural areas or by secondary education in the cities. The method used for the analysis of the data has been the "analysis of correspondences ".