article

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

Ethnohistory30 (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).
Subjects
Acculturation and culture contact
Sociocultural trends
Spectacles
Revolution
Magic
Organized ceremonial
culture
Kuna
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