notions of grief and catharsis among the Toraja

1988/08/01 by Jane C. Wellenkamp · 2 citations
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Anthropological Studies and Insights #Asian Studies and History #Catharsis #Ecology #Expression (computer science) #Grief #Indigenous #Psychoanalysis #Psychology #Psychotherapist #Social psychology #Sociology #Southeast Asian Sociopolitical Studies

paper · doi:10.1525/ae.1988.15.3.02a00050

openalex publication_date 1988/08/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21

Abstract

This article concerns indigenous notions regarding grief and mourning among the Toraja of South Sulawesi, Indonesia. It argues that Toraja beliefs about the expression of grief are part of an implicit “cathartic” theory of emotion that is closely related to ideas concerning “heat” and “coolness.” The article concludes by suggesting that indigenous notions about the expression of grief correspond closely to the experiences of many grieving individuals.

Citations

• CULTURE AND EXPERIENCE
• Emotions and the Self: A Theory of Personhood and Political Order among Pintupi Aborigines
• Order and Disorder in Toraja Thought and Ritual

Cited by

• Order and Disorder in Toraja Thought and Ritual
• To the Afterworld and Back: Mourning and Dreams of the Dead among the Toraja
• Torajan people [wikipedia]