Book
Gubida illness and religious ritual among the Garifuna of Santa Fe, Honduras: an ethnopsychiatric analysis
University Microfilms International • Ann Arbor, Mich. • Published In 1989 • Pages:
By: Bianchi, Cynthia Chamberlain.
Abstract
This is a detailed study of an illness called HASANDIGUBIDA, believed by the Garifuna to be caused by the spirits of dead relatives. The author points out that while this illness seems to cross-cut various biomedical classifications of disorder, there is a strong indication that the characteristic behavioral symptoms of this 'disease' are culturally patterned, especially in regard to the stereotypical dreams and visions involving dead relatives demanding food and sacrifices. Failure to heed these demands would result in physical symptoms characteristic of the HASANDIGUBIDA illness, which seem to express somaticized anxiety. This condition may be viewed as a culture-bound reactive syndrome (p. 2). As background material to this study, Bianchi provides relevant theoretical data on possession states and therapeutic rituals, as well as on the physical environment, social organization, culture history, and religion. She then goes into great detail on the illness itself, the CHUGU and DUGU rituals of placation, and on concomitant possession trances accompanying these rituals.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2005
- Region
- Middle America and the Caribbean
- Sub Region
- Central America
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- John Beierle ; 1989-1991
- Field Date
- 1976-1983
- Coverage Date
- 1976-1983
- Coverage Place
- Santa Fe, Honduras
- Notes
- [by] Cynthia Chamberlain Bianchi
- UM8820253
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 372-387)
- Thesis (Ph.D.) -- Columbus, Ohio State University, 1988
- LCSH
- Garifuna (Caribbean people)