article

Lore and life: Cuna Indian pageants, exorcism, and diplomacy in the twentieth century

Ethnohistory • 30 (1,2,3,4) • Published In 1983 • Pages: 93-106

By: Moore, Alexander.

Abstract

The San Blas Cuna Indians of Panama are modernizing yet culturally nativist. This article examines both a pageant re-enacting the revolt of 1925 and the traditional rite of exorcism against the ethnohistory of the role of exorcists and seers populating San Blas and creating tribal institutions. The strategy of the 1925 revolt seems to be a transformation of the ritual strategy of the role of exorcism; itself a ritual expression of sixteenth century strategies for dealing with the Spanish. Life and lore here interact productively (p. 93).

HRAF PubDate

1999

Region

Middle America and the Caribbean

Sub Region

Central America

Document Type

article

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

John Beierle ; 1996

Field Date

ca. 1977

Coverage Date

ca. 1977

Coverage Place

San Blas Coast and Islands, Panama

Notes

by Alexander Moore

Includes bibliographical references (p. 105)

LCCN

57043343

LCSH

Cuna Indians