Kuru Sorcery

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the above book which examines the lives of the Fore people of New Guinea and their changing lifestyles when faced with the encroachment of modern society. It discusses how the focus of her book is the disease of the local indigenous people that was prevalent during the early 1960s, called Kuru. It describes the causes, symptoms and epidemiology of Kuru believed to be a fatal degenerative disease brought on by lack of protein and how the Fore people thought that Kuru was caused by a wrong sorcery, which was done by an unfavorable person.

From the Paper:

"Lindenbaum and her husband carried out an lengthy study of South Fore culture and society then check their work against findings throughout neighboring groups to the north and west where kuru was found. Lindenbaum recorded events in relation to the age of the informants, birth order and marriages, therefore keeping a history of the disease. Among some of the findings by Lindenbaum were: The disease first appeared between 1900 and 1920, that myth and ritual contained no reference to kuru despite the seriousness of the disease and the toll it was taking, older tribes people would reminisce, marking the recording of the first appearance of the kuru in their area."

More papers on Kuru Sorcery:

• Book Review # 49297 : "Kuru Sorcery in New Guinea"
• Essay # 71556 : "Kuru Disease"
• Analytical Essay # 41728 : "Two Novels Compares"

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