article

Cultural patterns in Trukese suicide

Ethnology • 23 (3) • Published In 1984 • Pages: 193-206

By: Hezel, Francis X..

Abstract

This is a study of suicide among the Chuuk, based on data collected by the Micronesian Seminar, a church-sponsored research institute, and other public records. By interviewing relatives and friends of suicide victims, Hezel was able to corroborate and enrich the data. In the period between 1971 and 1983, there were 129 suicides in Chuuk. Ninety-three per cent of the victims were male, and 70 per cent were between the ages of 15 and 30. According to the Chuuk, suicides are motivated by anger. Hezel sees this anger rooted in oppressive familal relationships and the prohibition against displaying negative feelings towards kin elders, especially parents. Hezel sees suicide as an exteme form of AMWUNUMWUN, a strategy of self-abasement intended to compel parents or others to repair the harm they have done. In the case of suicide, the intended goal is to affect family reconciliation with the memory of the victim. According to Hezel, suicide is not a deviant act, nor a vindinctive one, but is based in the 'continuing regard for the family and an acknowledgement of the preciousness of family bonds.'

HRAF PubDate

1999

Region

Oceania

Sub Region

Micronesia

Document Type

article

Evaluation

Creator Type

Missionary

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Ian Skoggard ; 1997

Field Date

not specified

Coverage Date

1971-1983

Coverage Place

Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia

Notes

Francis X. Hezel, S.J.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 206)

LCCN

64005713

LCSH

Trukese (Micronesian people)