Ethnic Syndromes as Disguise for Protest Against Colonialism: Three Ethnographic Examples

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.

This research was supported by a grant from the Research Foundation of City University of New York, under the Professional Staff Congress Grants Program, City University of New York.

Keywords:

• Zar
• possession
• trance
• dissociation
• colonial
• oppression
• Puerto Rican syndrome

Notes

This research was supported by a grant from the Research Foundation of City University of New York, under the Professional Staff Congress Grants Program, City University of New York.