A Near-Death Experience Narrated by a Vepsian Woman
Journal of Ethnology and Folkloristics June 1, 2024 DOI: 10.2478/jef-2024-0008 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | An elderly woman living in traditional Vepsian culture |
| Topics | Near-death experience |
| Key findings | The authors argue that the near-death experience of an elderly Vepsian woman, despite the strong presence of animistic beliefs in her daily life, is dominated by elements specific to vernacular Orthodox Christianity, while also containing universal features. |
Abstract
Abstract This article* focuses on the immediate near-death experience of an elderly woman living in traditional Vepsian culture. We analyse which universal, and which more culturally motivated features are present in her story narrated to us in 2018. We conclude that, despite the strong association with animistic beliefs in the informant’s everyday life, the experience is dominated by elements specific to vernacular Orthodox Christianity. The article presents a translation from Vepsian of a fragmentary personal experience narrative.