Involuntary mass spirit possession among the Miskitu.
Anthropology & medicine January 1, 2012 Johan Wedel 6 citations
Mass spirit possession among the Miskitu of northeastern Nicaragua, known as grisi siknis, has shifted from small outbreaks involving a few adolescents to large-scale epidemics affecting all ages. This change coincides with social conflicts and tensions in Miskitu society. Based on 11 months of participant-observation in Puerto Cabezas (2005-2008) and interviews with 38 informants, the paper shows that socioeconomic, cultural, personal, and environmental factors all contribute to outbreaks. Previously labeled a culture-bound syndrome unique to the Miskitu, grisi siknis shares features with other involuntary mass spirit possessions worldwide. The authors argue it should be understood as a Miskitu version of this broader phenomenon, not a culture-bound condition.