article

Sorcery as a phase of Tarahumara economic relations

Man • 42 • Published In 1942 • Pages: 11-15

By: Passin, Herbert.

Abstract

This brief article discusses the practice of sorcery as an expression of hostility resulting from the evasion by individual Tarahumaras of traditional cultural obligations. Passin presents the theoretical view of sorcery as an expression of aggression, and gives several cases of the tension which results when Tarahumaras evade the ideal pattern of sharing econimic goods by concealing wealth from their neighbors. He further shows how this behavior results in social disapproval, fear of sorcery, and insecurity. These patterns of behavior are extended to other types of interpersonal aggression.

HRAF PubDate

1997

Region

Middle America and the Caribbean

Sub Region

Northern Mexico

Document Type

article

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

George R. Bedell ; 1960

Field Date

ca. 1938

Coverage Date

not specified

Coverage Place

Chihuahua, Mexico

Notes

by Herbert Passin

LCCN

sf85009438

LCSH

Tarahumara Indians