Three days for weeping: dreams, emotions, and death in the Peruvian Amazon.
Medical Anthropology Quarterly June 1, 2002 DOI: 10.1525/maq.2002.16.2.200 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Matsigenka people of Peru |
| Key points | Argues that Matsigenka funeral customs and beliefs about the dead are rooted in a native theory that excessive displays of emotion, especially grief, anger, and aggressive sexuality, cause a vicious cycle of unhappiness, social disruption, illness, and death. |
Abstract
Funeral customs and beliefs about the dead among the Matsigenka of Peru reflect great anxiety over the contagion of death and the power of the dead over the living. In this article, these beliefs and practices are interpreted in light of a native theory about emotion. For the Matsigenka, excessive displays of emotion, especially grief, anger, and aggressive sexuality, cause a vicious cycle of unhappiness, social disruption, illness, and death. Moving beyond a culturally particular, symbolic-interpretive perspective, the author also draws on personal experiences both in the field and at home to reflect on the phenomenology of grief across cultures.
Citations in the library
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