article
A Demon in every transistor
Etnofoor • 21 • Published In 1992 • Pages: 109-127
By: Wetering, Wilhelmina van.
Abstract
In this article, Wetering examines new forms of demon possession among the Ndyuka and relates it to the changing social relations wrought by the state and market economy. The BAKUU, or demons, were imported from the outside world, arriving with the golddiggers at the beginning of the century. They are more mechanical than human and exhibit an uncontrolled aggressiveness. They can be bought and bribed to invade one or more victims, resulting in sickness and death. Religious centers were established to contain BAKUU possession. In the 1960s and 70s the BAKUU began to possess women, exclusively. According to Wetering, this lastest manifestation of BAKUU possession reflected the ambivalency surrounding women, who now traveled to and from the coast, trading and buying commodities. Describing one exorcism surrounding a difficult birth, Wetering shows how a woman was able to resist a witchcraft accusation. Demons, he concludes, thrive on the dividing line between new and old worlds, and successful and unsuccessful lives.
- HRAF PubDate
- 1999
- Region
- South America
- Sub Region
- Amazon and Orinoco
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard ; 1997
- Field Date
- 1991
- Coverage Date
- 1920-1991
- Coverage Place
- Suriname and French Guiana
- Notes
- Wilhelmina van Wetering
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 126-127)
- LCSH
- Djuka people