Socio-economic factors involved in participation in extreme rituals
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| Year of publication | 2018 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
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| Description | Every year, Tamil Hindus around the globe celebrate one of the most extreme rituals in the world. The ceremony involves piercing the body with numerous metallic needles, skewers, or rods; carrying heavy decorated structures (kavadi), often weighing over 30 kg; dragging enormous chariots attached to the hips and backs with hooks; and walking on shoes made of nails or barefooted on the burning asphalt. This ordeal lasts several hours and culminates with participants carrying their burden to the top of a hill. Using a mixed-methods approach, our study examined how various socio-economic factors may impact the nature and intensity of participation in this ritual. |
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