The collective narrative of trauma and healing among internally displaced individuals in ethiopia: a community-based participatory action research inquiry

Abstract Background Ethiopia is ranked among the top five countries with the highest number of internally displaced individuals. Several centers in Gondar City, Ethiopia, provide temporary accommodations for those forcibly displaced from their homes during the 2020–2023 period. Research shows that internally displaced people (IDPs) face stressors such as trauma, poverty, and the collapse of social support networks, resulting in mental distress, impaired relationships, and diminished coping abilities. Methods This Community-Based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR) and interpretative phenomenological research study engaged 42 stakeholders (including IDPs, service providers, community leaders, and governmental/non-governmental representatives) residing in Gondar, Ethiopia, who were selected using purposive sampling to explore narratives of trauma and healing shaped by lived experiences. Data were collected through six focus group discussions and nine in-depth interviews, then analyzed using template analysis. Results Findings reveal visceral and culturally embedded experiences of trauma, described as ‘wounds to the soul,’ ‘relational wounds,’ and idioms of distress that convey the profound impact of displacement. Collective healing emerged through cultural and spiritual practices, connection to ancestral traditions, and music. Barriers such as low trauma awareness and limited mental health access were also highlighted. Conclusion and implications This study underscores the interconnectedness in collectivist cultures and offers insights to develop culturally responsive trauma-informed programs. It calls for further research on healing processes that integrate individual and collective resilience.