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 DOI: 10.1080/15299732.2013.724340 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe paper suggests historical links between cultural domination and dissociative spiritual responses to oppression, using three examples: the Zar cult of Southern Sudan, Puerto Rican syndrome (ataque), and the Balinese trance dance. It argues that spirit possession functions as an escape from unbearable reality, a way to express forbidden needs and desires, a means of adopting an identity beyond traditional authorities, and a reenactment of traumatic experience.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 10 |
| Key finding | Spirit possession serves as a dissociative response to colonial oppression, allowing escape from reality, expression of forbidden desires, adoption of alternative identities, and reenactment of trauma. |
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.