EMC: Abstract: Spirit Possession of Alejandro Mamani, The (Aging in Another Culture)

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Spirit Possession of Alejandro Mamani, The (Aging in Another Culture)

• 1974 ----- color ----- 27 min ----- 16mm
• (Faces of Change series) Alejandro Mamani is the oldest member of his community of Aymara Indians. At 81 he is remarkably strong, able to labor in the fields high in the Bolivian mountains. But his mental decline is evident. With total spontaneity he pours out his complaints. He mourns the death of his wife and friends; he broods over the loss of wealth and status; he berates his children for what he perceives as neglect. He also talks about being harrassed at night by evil spirits which sap his strength and drive him to thoughts of suicide. It is significant that he did, in fact, commit suicide after the filmmakers left.
• Topics: (Anthropology: Cultural, Gerontology, Latin America)

		Educational Media Collection risimiki@u.washington.edu Modified: January 11, 2007