Resource Tag: RITUALS

This is the first systematic study of the psychiatric theories & practices of a primitive tribe. Data was collected from the Mohave Indians during field trips in 1932-33, 1936, & 1938, & brief visits up to 1950. Part 7 of this lengthy study is about suicide & is presented in 6 chapters: The theoretical framework; […]

~

This article provides a psychoanalytic interpretation of Yukio MishimaÕs suicide & personal myth. A biography of this writer is presented. His writings are discussed in the context of the psychological state & message of the writer. Several explanations for the writer’s suicide are included, emphasizing his personal myth. The article describes MishimaÕs belief that his […]

This article presents existing theories of suicide & arguing that another type – the Samsonic suicide – should be included. The author discusses this revenge act in the context of belief & social organization, illustrating his theory with examples from African tribes. (43 refs) (SC)

The church still holds firmly to the traditional moral criteria against the mentality & practice of direct suicide carried out with deliberation & full knowledge. Canon law aims at a more pastoral approach, limiting itself to excluding would-be suicides from holding or exercising holy orders. The traditional denial of ecclesiastical burial to suicides has been […]

The author reviews neurotic excoriations & dermatitis artefacta, two types of commonly occurring dermatoses. Victims are usually emotionally immature, introverted, have difficulty communicating with others & have low stress tolerance. self-mutilation in the form of dermatalogic abuse is highly predictive of suicide in schizophrenic patients. 48 refs. (NBB)

All male patients who had cut their wrists & been admitted to the Bethesda Navel Hospital, Maryland, between Oct. 1971 & May 1972 were interviewed (N=10). All were under 23 years of age. The group was divided into coarse cutters & delicate cutters. All 8 coarse cutters were suicidal & had made serious attempts & […]

The author describes self-destructive behavior among primitive peoples, giving an example of “masked suicide” among the Crow Indians. A member of the tribe who wished to die would announce this wish in a ritual form & seek out death in combat, taking risks that would ensure death. His actions were accepted & praised by tribe […]

This paper examines cultural attitudes toward suicide & in particular, forms of suicide that are accepted & those that are rejected. The author defines acceptable suicide as an act that fulfills cultural expectations. The author explores both forms of suicide in Indian culture. 5 Ref. (NBB)

Discussed are 3 aspects of suicide in Japan: (1) trends in suicide rates from 1882-1978, (2) epidemiologic & demographic data are examined–rates are higher for youth, females, those in rural areas, & those engaged in primary & extractive industries, (3) theories of suicide in Japan are presented in terms of personality, obsessive concern with “face […]

The obvious material wealth of the Europeans still creates occasional outbursts of self destructive behvior in Papua, New Guinea, known as “Cargo Cult: activities. People believe that sacrifice will bring them the goods being brought to the country by aircraft & ships. Law enforcement is usually the only effective intervention. The psychopathology of this strange […]

The “Samurai” suicide of political activist Mishima Yokio & one of his Shield Society followers is examined in this lengthy discussion of postwar political development in Japan during the 1970’s. (NBB)

John Spurling claims the death of Yukio Mishima by suicide was a carefully planned, theatrical event. He supports this theory by providing glimpses of Mishima’s childhood, & his adult passion for the several “rivers” of his life: writing, theatre, body & action. Mishima was a noted playwright & novelist, starring in many of his own […]

Arvind Sharma discusses Emile Durkheim’s classification of the Hindu custom of Suttee as obligatory altruistic suicide (suicide that results from selfless dedication to & identification with a social group, where suicide is seen as a duty or obligation.) The author takes exception with this categorization, which he feels is inexact, citing problematic historical, sociological & […]

This paper describes a rare pattern of victim precipitated homicide practiced by the Moros in the southern Phillipines. “Going Juramentado” is the term describing the practice of locating places known to be frequented by Christians & killing as many of them as possible, in the hope of being killed in the course of this activity. […]

This study of the Na-Khi, a minority ethnic group in S.W. China, includes an investigation of the high suicide rate that the Chinese intervention of 1723, breaking down the matrilineal kinship system, placed women in the ambivalent position of being legally inferior but in actuality quite powerful. Young women unable to cope with this situation […]

An unknown precipitant appears to trigger self-mutilation in vulnerable individuals. The act reduces unbearable levels of stress, anger, & anxiety and results in feeling of intense relief. In this article, the author presents typical problems faced by the self mutilator and the staff caring for this type of patient on a psychiatric hospital ward. The […]

An anthropological study of suicide among native people in New Britain. The author illustrates that these suicides result from motives he describes as a form of “social deception”. (NBB)

This article is a discussion & examination of the politically motivated, altruistic suicide of Mishima Yukio, a popular novelist, playwrite, & member of the Tate no Kaifshield society. The author looks at this event & reactions to it in both Japanese & Western cultures. (NBB)

This article is about the Kamikaze attacks of the Japanese during World War II. The word “Kamikaze” refers to a “divine wind” that is believed to have destroyed a mongol fleet attacking Japan in 1570. Kamikaze pilots willingly faced death in the belief that their sacrifice would change the fate of their war ravaged nation. […]

The suicide of Yasunari Kawabata & Yukio Mishima symbolize 2 sides of Japanese character: the chrysanthemum & the sword. The crysanthemum represents the pleasure the Japanese derive from simple & beautiful objects in nature & art; the sword represents their passion for militarism. The author suggests the difference between the two suggest different causes of […]

The author discusses the Tausug concept of “parrang sabbil”, a form of altruistic suicide that has its origin in the holy war between Christians & Islamics in the Philippines during the 19th century. Called “juramentado” by the Spanish, it was a form of suicide in which an Islamic man went to a Christian settlement & […]

The authors present a history of Finnish mythology & folklore surrounding death & in particular, suicidal death. Although these beliefs are not widespread in conteporary Finland, vestiges of ancient beliefs remain. People report “dreams” as preminitions for death–they do not associate such omens as supernatural experiences; people still avoid places where a suicide has been […]