In Between Human–Animal Bodies: Transcorporeal Experiences in Hittite Anatolia
This study traces material movement across human–nonhuman animal bodies (henceforth human–animal) during ritual performances in which patients from Hittite Anatolia spat into an animal’s mouth. It explores the transference of pollution through the lens of theoretical approaches that reflect on bodil...
Main Author: | |
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Format: | Electronic Article |
Language: | English |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
Journals Online & Print: | |
Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
Published: |
Brill
2024
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In: |
Numen
Year: 2024, Volume: 71, Issue: 5/6, Pages: 500-518 |
Further subjects: | B
Hittites
B Rituals B transcorporeality B Animal B Body B spit |
Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
Summary: | This study traces material movement across human–nonhuman animal bodies (henceforth human–animal) during ritual performances in which patients from Hittite Anatolia spat into an animal’s mouth. It explores the transference of pollution through the lens of theoretical approaches that reflect on bodily margins and orifices as potent symbolic points of human bodies, as well as on bodily fluids as substances that can threaten inside/outside, subject/object distinctions. An examination of Hittite compositions from this theoretical perspective suggests that ritual patients were able, through spitting, and spittle, to release evils characterized primarily by being in between corporeality, social, and divine encounters, instead of freeing them principally from physical afflictions. |
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ISSN: | 1568-5276 |
Contains: | Enthalten in: Numen
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Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1163/15685276-20240015 |