essay

LATAH in Sarawak, with special reference to the Iban

female and male in borneo : contributions and challenges to gender studies1 • Published In 1991 • Pages: 317-333

By: Winzeler, Robert L..

Abstract
LATAH is a dramatic and exotic behavior found in many parts of Southeast Asia, particularly in the Malayan-Indonesian area. An individual upon being startled or otherwise provoked will typically exclaim an obscenity, strike out, or throw an object. Those who are strongly affected with LATAH will often '…enter a state of altered consciousness and repeat words or sounds, imitate gestures or patterns of movement and follow orders' (p. 317). In this paper Winzeler discusses the significance of LATAH in Borneo, then its occurrence in Sarawak, with particular emphasis on the Iban. Winzeler concludes that among the Iban as well as other groups, LATAH is not considered to be a form of 'psychopathology,' but a means by which women (who are most frequently affected), call attention to themselves and express aggression in more socially acceptable or excusable ways (p. 328).
Subjects
Adjustment processes
Personality disorders
Acculturation and culture contact
Sociocultural trends
Humor
Gender status
Sexuality
culture
Iban
HRAF PubDate
1995
Region
Asia
Sub Region
Southeast Asia
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle
Field Date
December 1985 - June 1986, July and August 1987 (p. 329)
Coverage Date
1985-1987 (p. 329)
Coverage Place
Thirty-nine scattered longhouses located mainly on the Saribas, the Rajang, the Oya, the Igan, the lower Baleh, and Mujong Rivers, Sarawak, Malaysia (p. 329)
Notes
Robert L. Winzeler
Includes bibliographical references (p. 331-333)
LCCN
91072229
LCSH
Ibans (Bornean people)