essay
Shaman-client interchange in Okinawa: performative stages in shamanic therapy
cultural conceptions of mental health and therapy • Boston • Published In 1982 • Pages: 303-315
By: Lebra, William P..
Abstract
In this article, Lebra examines the shaman-client encounter. Drawing from his ethnographic notes, he identifies three stages, which he calls i) 'negotiating shamanic reality,' ii) 'determining spiritual cause,' and iii) 'prescribing remedial action'. In the first stage the shaman has to demonstrate his or her mastery over spirits before a client is willing to confide in him or her. With respect to spiritual cause, in 70 percent of the cases, ancestors are identified as the source of trouble. The most common prescription for remedial action is prayer. Lebra also discusses the use of comic interludes to relieve a particularly emotionally laden session.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2000
- Region
- Asia
- Sub Region
- East Asia
- Document Type
- essay
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnographer
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard ; 2000
- Field Date
- 1960-1974
- Coverage Date
- 1960-1974
- Coverage Place
- Okinawa, Japan
- Notes
- William P. Lebra
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 315)
- LCCN
- 82003674
- LCSH
- Ryukyuans