Pain and Sacrifice: Experience and Modulation of Pain in a Religious Piercing Ritual |
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| Authors: | Else-Marie Elmholdt Jegindø Lene Vase Jens Jegindø Armin W. Geertz |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Culture and Society , Aarhus University;2. Centre of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience;3. Danish Pain Research Center, Aarhus University Hospital;4. MINDLab, NeuroCampus Aarhus, Aarhus University;5. Danish Pain Research Center, Aarhus University Hospital;6. MINDLab, NeuroCampus Aarhus, and Department of Psychology , Behavioural Sciences, Aarhus University;7. Department of Culture and Society , Aarhus University;8. Department of Culture and Society , MINDLab, NeuroCampus Aarhus, Aarhus University |
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| Abstract: | ![]()
Fascinating pain-related rituals have been observed throughout the world, but so far no systematic evidence exists to support previous ethnographic reports of analgesic states and dissociative symptoms during these events. To address this issue, we combined quantitative and qualitative measures with the aim of investigating pain experience and modulation of pain during the Thaipusam Kavadi ritual in Mauritius. In Study 1, results indicated low levels of pain intensity during the ritual, and regression analyses showed that expectations of pain were significantly predictive of actual pain intensity ratings. In Study 2, the meanings surrounding the ritual were found to generate expectations of low pain and a positive outcome, and intense prayer was reported as the main coping strategy. In addition, most participants expressed symptoms of dissociation (including amnesia, absorption, and depersonalisation) during Thaipusam, and a high prevalence of these symptoms was associated with low levels of pain. |
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