Spirit possession and gender in the central himalayas: A case study of patriarchy, identity and power in a Himalayan Town

Abstract

Uttarakhand has witnessed the phenomena of possession in the forms of jagar in a large extent. There is a wide prevalence of local rituals and quasi-religious practices associated with spirit possession. Possession is affected by the basic patriarchal norms having its roots in primitive society. The manifestation of spirit is decided by the gendered norms about whether a male/female deity can/will possess a man or a woman. Undoubtedly, possession plays a vital role in shaping and manipulating rural identity but it is not only bound with rural beliefs. People living in urban areas have firm faith in these practices. In this research paper, an attempt has been made to discover the gender difference in these practices and linkages between manifestation of identity and gender due to possession. How gender and its various dimensions (Embodiment, Relations and Performativity) in a patriarchy affect spirit possession in individuals? For this purpose, two qualitative in-depth case studies in which one is of a female adult and the second one is of male adult have been conducted in urban Kumaun. These practices are continued as a substitute for medical and psychiatric care in Kumaun Himalayan. Psychological factors such as repression, frustration manifesting in depression and aggressiveness are also responsible for the existence of possession. The findings indicate that there is no direct linkage of the possession phenomenon with gender politics though indirectly we can see that patriarchal family, society structures and practices are playing an important role in both cases. Patriarchal norms continue to rule life both in rural and urban settings.