TRANSCENDENTAL INTERSTICES: AN ETHNOGRAPHIC EXEGESIS OF SHAMANIC PRAXIS AMONG THE MURAMKULUKKIPATTU MALAYA TRIBE

The 'Muram Kulukki' song and ceremony of the Malaya tribe in Kerala exhibits characteristics of shamanism, including connecting with the spiritual world, reaching trance through music and dance, spiritual healing, community unity, and respect for nature. The ceremony strengthens both spiritual life and social ties, serving as a symbol of unity and a medium for transmitting tribal histories. It provides confidence and comfort where scientific treatment is unavailable and holds artistic value. The authors argue that the shaman's performance enacts the 'call' or initial crisis that led to his revelation, cautioning against misinterpreting the term 'performance'.

Study at a glance

Abstract

All the characteristics of the ‘Muram Kulukki’ song are close to the characteristics of shamanism. Connecting with the spiritual world, reaching a trance state through the repetition of music and dance, spiritual treatment for healing, unity and togetherness of the community, and deep respect for the forces of nature are all reflected in this ceremony. Through this, not only is the spiritual life of a tribal community strengthened, but also their social ties. ‘Muramkulukkipattu’ is unique in both its social and cultural aspects. Since it is a ceremony that brings everyone together in the community, it becomes a symbol of unity and togetherness. Songs have long served as a medium through which tribal histories and stories are handed down across generations. ‘Muramkulukkipattu’ has given confidence and comfort to the people in situations where scientific treatment for healing is not available, and it also has great artistic value. Researchers are studying it today as part of the folk songs of Kerala. In the research article “Transcendental Interstices: An Ethnographic Exegesis of Shamanic Praxis among the Muramkulukkipattu Malaya Tribe,” the shamanistic performance is explained in the context of treating patients; the Shaman also offers his audience a performance. What is this performance? Risking a rash generalisation based on a few observations, we shall say that it always involves the Shaman’s enactment of the ‘call’ or the initial crisis which brought him the revelation of his condition. But we must not be deceived by the word performance.