Obliged by Powerful Others: Reciprocity and Obligation in Indigenous South-America

Session Submission Type: Panel

Abstract

Inspired by Mauss, this panel presents variations on the theme of reciprocity and obligation in contexts of Christianities in Amerindian societies. We are specifically interested in reciprocal relations as tools to engage with powerful Others, whether fellow human beings or supernatural entities. Reciprocity is a fundamental part of Christians’ social interaction in various ways, including hospitality rites, forms of compadrazco, religious rituals, practices related to healing, and ways of communicating with the divine, such as praying and dreaming. In what ways do these forms enable people to cope with the instability and unpredictability brought by advancing modernities and socio-economical change?

Sub Track

• Religions and Spiritualities

Chairs

• Minna Opas, University of Turku

• Giovanna Bacchiddu, Pontificia Universidad Catolica

Individual Presentations

• Caring Duties, Moral Obligations: The Social Life of Biomedicine in the Protestant Missions of Suriname. - Vanessa Elisa Grotti, Oxford University

• Revenge and forgiveness among the Palikur people: thinking about the limits of reciprocity - Artionka Capiberibe, Unicamp

• Relations with Powerful Beings in the Bajo Urubamba, Peruvian Amazonia - Peter G Gow, University of St Andrews

• Dreaming faith into being: Relations of reciprocity among Indigenous Yine Christians - Minna Opas, University of Turku

• The Obligations of Life in Apiao, Chiloé - Giovanna Bacchiddu, Pontificia Universidad Catolica