Source: 45p. SIEC No: 19842575

The author argues that revenge suicide is not deviant, but a behavioural alternative among the Lusi-speaking Kaliai of NW New Britain. Using numerous case examples, Counts shows that suicide is part of a behavioural pattern for powerless people (often women), that this pattern is communicated in the oral tradition, that it follows rules & has predictable results. Because of the element of culpability, suicide is a political act intended to limit the use of power by others. (25 refs.) (MM)