Ethnic syndromes as disguise for protest against colonialism: three ethnographic examples.
Journal of trauma & dissociation : the official journal of the International Society for the Study of Dissociation (ISSD) January 1, 2013 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1080/15299732.2013.724340 via PubMed
Summary
Colonial oppression and trauma can trigger dissociative spiritual and religious responses, such as spirit possession, as a means of escape from unbearable reality. Three examples illustrate this: the Zar cult of Southern Sudan, Puerto Rican syndrome (ataque), and the Balinese trance dance. Spirit possession functions to express needs and desires forbidden by authorities, allows entry into an identity not subject to traditional authorities, and reenacts traumatic experience.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Colonial oppression and trauma are linked to dissociative spirit possession, which serves as an escape from unbearable reality and a means of expressing forbidden needs and desires. |
Abstract
Historical connections are suggested between the domination of 1 culture by another and dissociative spiritual and religious responses to that oppression. Connections are drawn between colonial oppression, trauma, and 3 examples of dissociation and spirit possession: the Zar cult of Southern Sudan, "Puerto Rican syndrome" or ataque, and the Balinese trance dance. Discussed by means of these examples are the role and functions of spirit possession as a means of escape from unbearable reality, where it becomes a form of the expression of needs and desires forbidden by authorities, a way of entering an identity not subject to traditional authorities, and reenactment of traumatic experience.