Ancient Wisdom Atlas

Motif

Purification by beating inanimate objects

purification_by_beating_inanimate_objects

A motif of the Sacred Law and Social Order family, within the sub-family Purification and Pollution. Every row below is a tagged passage; each rests on a quote in its source text.

2 occurrences

1 traditions


comparative

  • The Golden Bough: A Study in Comparative Religion (Vol. 2 of 2) CONTENTS / NOTE. OFFERINGS OF FIRST-FRUITS. / INDEX. / FOOTNOTES; lines 14274-14368 confidence: high

    Arms, utensils, houses, and long-unused portable objects may become affected by bu-ku-rú; before touching them, people beat them with a stick. A woman beats a roof-hung basket to drive off bu-ku-rú.

    Portable objects and a long-unused house are beaten with a stick before use or occupation to drive off bu-ku-rú.

    read in the book
  • The Golden Bough: A Study in Comparative Religion (Vol. 2 of 2) CONTENTS / NOTE. OFFERINGS OF FIRST-FRUITS. / INDEX. / FOOTNOTES; lines 14274-14368 confidence: high

    Costa Rican Indians are reported to distinguish nya from the more virulent bu-ku-rú; bu-ku-rú is associated with first pregnancy, disused objects, houses, unvisited places, Pico Blanco, and dusty blow-guns, and is removed from objects or houses by beating them with a stick.

    Affected baskets, house interiors, beds, posts, and movable objects are beaten with a stick to drive off or purify bu-ku-rú.

    read in the book