Book

Rarámuri souls: knowledge and social process in northern Mexico

Smithsonian Institution Press • Washington, D.C. • Published In 1988 • Pages: xi, 237

By: Merrill, William L..

Abstract
William Merrill '…examines the ways in which a society lacking formal educational institutions produces and transmits its basic knowledge about the world and how the nature of this process affects the distribution of the knowledge within the society' (dust jacket). This book deals with Tarahumara history, philosophy, oratory, and ritual practices with a focus throughout on the concept of the soul. This soul concept is used by the Tarahumara to explain various dimensions of human experience and behavior and to justify much of their ritual action. Merrill analyzes this central component of Tarahumara thought in terms of its relationship to health and death practices and in various other dimensions of everyday life.
Subjects
Theory of disease
Magical and mental therapy
Cult of the dead
Animism
Eschatology
Spirits and gods
culture
Tarahumara
HRAF PubDate
1997
Region
Middle America and the Caribbean
Sub Region
Northern Mexico
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 1995
Field Date
1977-1987
Coverage Date
1977-1987
Coverage Place
Chihuahua, Mexico
Notes
William L. Merrill
Includes bibliographical references (p. 211-228) and index
LCCN
87062623
LCSH
Tarahumara Indians