Embodying Spirits: Village Oracles and Possession Ritual in Ladakh, North India

Day, Sophie E.. 1989. Embodying Spirits: Village Oracles and Possession Ritual in Ladakh, North India. Doctoral thesis, Goldsmiths, University of London [Thesis]

[img]
Preview
Text
SophieDay_PhD1989_LSE.pdf - Submitted Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives.

Download (37MB) | Preview

Abstract or Description

This thesis focuses upon village oracles in Buddhist Ladakh who provide ritual services to clients when they are in trance and possessed by gods. Village oracles are discussed in the context of a customary division made by Ladakhis between the lay and clerical components of their society. They are among the few lay ritual specialists and are consequently accorded less esteem than their monastic counterparts for they are associated with the lower reaches of the pantheon and with inferior ritual techniques. Moreover, Ladakhi village oracles attract suspicion because of the manner in which they are created. They are elected through affliction which is gradually, but only precariously, contained as the spirits responsible are domesticated in their human vessels.
The process of initiation is seen in terms of the transformation of a probable demonic affliction into a capricious divine power. This process is analysed further through rituals associated with witchcraft possession and monastery oracles. Village oracles were once overwhelmed by affliction, like witchcraft victims, and it is never clear that these erstwhile patients have become healers, or that they have turned their demons into gods. Village oracles are also related to practitioners in the monastery. The gods evoked by monastery oracles were converted to Buddhism in “historical” times and, today, they join the side of religion in the continuing conquest of enemies. The gods embodied by village oracles may also be seen as converts but, by comparison, their conversion is a much more uncertain affair. It is argued that village oracles are best understood in terms of their position in-between affliction in the village and a respected ritual power in the monastery. The analysis suggests similarities with spirit mediums elsewhere who are likewise associated with movements away from affliction towards ritual powers.

Item Type:

Thesis (Doctoral)

Departments, Centres and Research Units:

Anthropology

Date:

1989

Item ID:

21522

Date Deposited:

12 Oct 2017 12:21

Last Modified:

12 Sep 2022 14:07

URI:

https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/21522

View statistics for this item...

Edit Record Edit Record (login required)