Talking about souls: the pragmatic construction of meaning in Cuna ritual language

Severi, Carlo

doi:10.1017/cbo9780511896866.011

Cited by 47 publications

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“…Lowland South American Amerindian ontologies are to a considerable degree substantiated in the images of hallucinations and dreams. This is attested by the Yanomami notion of utupë, which has been translated “as image, vital principle, true interiority or essence” (Albert and Gomez , 83; Viveiros de Castro ), or by the Kuna purpa , the image, secret essence or soul (Hayans, Henry Wassén, and Holmer ; Severi , , ; Chapin ; Morales ). Sensu stricto, utupë , and purpakana, refer to multitudinous entities, with their own personhood and intentionality that inhabit, mirror, and holographically constitute each being of the environment: humans and animals, plants, soils, bodies of water, rocks, and even tools.…”

Section: Shamanic Image “Souls” and Pathogenic Master “Spirits”mentioning

confidence: 99%

Shamanic Microscopy: Cellular Souls, Microbial Spirits

Herrera

2018

Anthropol of Consciousness

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In Amerindian ontologies, hallucinations or visions, rather than being dismissed as delusions or symbolic constructs, are recognized as means of perceptual access to physical reality. Lowland South American shamans claim to be able to diagnose and treat infectious diseases, and to assess the status of wildlife resources through interactions with pathogenic agents perceived in visions. This essay examines some perceptual capabilities that shamans might be employing to explore their physical reality. The structure of the eye affords a form of microscopy of retinal structures and of objects flowing within them, including cells and microbial agents during systemic infection. Lowland South American shamanic practices involve optical and physiological conditions that optimize entoptic microscopy. Images of those visions display the characteristic features of shadow formation, confirming their microscopic origin. This phenomenological access to the microscopic world and similarities with the panorama depicted by current microbiology indicate the commensurability of these forms of knowledge.

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Section: Shamanic Image “Souls” and Pathogenic Master “Spirits”mentioning

confidence: 99%

Shamanic Microscopy: Cellular Souls, Microbial Spirits

Herrera

2018

Anthropol of Consciousness

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“…Further to such processes in the constitution of human bodies and selves there is the ever‐present possibility that bodies might not be human, thus representing danger for kinspeople. Amerindians conceive human beings as constantly being at risk of transforming and losing their human point of view (Vilaça 2005) – that is, their moral gaze and capacity to recognize their kinspeople – thus becoming predators towards them (Belaunde 2000: 215; Fausto 2001: 316‐17; Londoño Sulkin 2000: 175; 2005; Overing 1985: 265; Severi 1993). Human beings retain the potential of metamorphosing into animals; they have what Kuna people call an ‘animal side’ ( tarpa ).…”

Section: Bodymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For the Kuna, then, these predators are feared for their capacity to turn human beings into animals, or ghosts, who will prey on their former kinspeople (cf. Severi 1987; 1993).…”

Section: Amniotic Designsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The birth of design: a Kuna theory of body and personhood

Fortis

2010

Royal Anthropological Inst

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This article explores the concept of ‘design’ (narmakkalet) held by the Kuna people of Panamá. It demonstrates that the native concept of design and its relation to the human body is central to Kuna ideas concerning personhood. The main argument is that design is an attribute of the body which enables the creation of persons through the transformation of their relationship with animal entities. Through analysing the particular case of ‘amniotic designs’ (kurkin narmakkalet), which are sometimes visible on the heads of neonates, the article shows that designs provide a visual representation of the relationship between human beings and animals, and as such are integral in the formation of persons among the Kuna. To comprehend Kuna aesthetics, it is suggested, we need to look at the way Amerindians conceive the person, at how bodies are created, and at the relationships that human beings and animals entertain. Résumé L'auteur explore ici le concept de « dessin » (narmakkalet) chez les Kuna du Panamá. Il montre que le concept indigène de dessin et sa relation avec le corps humain sont essentiels dans les idées des Kuna concernant la personnalité. Le principal argument est que le dessin est un attribut du corps permettant la création de personnes par la transformation de leur relation avec des entités animales. En analysant le cas particulier des « dessins amniotiques » (kurkin narmakkalet) parfois visibles sur la tête des nouveau‐nés, l'auteur montre que les dessins donnent une représentation visuelle de la relation entre humains et animaux font partie intégrante, en tant que tels, de la constitution des personnes chez les Kuna. Pour comprendre l'esthétique des Kuna, l'auteur suggère d'examiner la manière dont les Amérindiens conçoivent la personne, la manière dont les corps sont créés et la relation que les êtres humains entretiennent avec les animaux.

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“…E porque isso ocorre? Já Carlos Severi (1993Severi ( , 2002Severi ( , 2004Severi ( e 2007, irá se perguntar como e porque certas imagens permanecem como memória de um povo e outras caem no esquecimento? Porque algumas delas são contra-intuitivas e outras não?…”

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Armadilhas, Quimeras E Caminhos: Três Abordagens Da Arte Na Antropologia Contemporânea

Demarchi¹

2009

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Partindo dos conceitos de armadilhas, quimeras e caminhos propostos respectivamente por Alfred Gell, Carlo Severi e Els Lagrou, o presente ensaio bibliográfico apresenta as características, semelhanças e especificidades de três abordagens da arte na antropologia contemporânea. Um dos focos do trabalho recai sobre as rupturas que essas abordagens realizam em relação a análise simbólica que por muito tempo dominou os estudos antropológicos sobre arte. Rompendo com o entendimento da arte enquanto linguagem simbólica, os estudos analisados enfatizam, cada um a sua maneira, a ação cognitiva da arte em contextos nativos, privilegiando categorias como agência, eficácia, contra-intuitividade e presentificação. Na última parte, mostro como essas categorias são aplicadas à arte ameríndia através do trabalho de Els Lagrou sobre a arte kaxinawa.

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Talking about souls: the pragmatic construction of meaning in Cuna ritual language

Cited by 47 publications

References 0 publications

Shamanic Microscopy: Cellular Souls, Microbial Spirits

Shamanic Microscopy: Cellular Souls, Microbial Spirits

The birth of design: a Kuna theory of body and personhood

Armadilhas, Quimeras E Caminhos: Três Abordagens Da Arte Na Antropologia Contemporânea

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