For centuries; the Aghori have been known as the most radical ascetics in India: living naked on the cremation grounds; meditating on corpses; engaging in cannibalism and coprophagy; and consuming intoxicants out of human skulls. In recent years; however; they have shifted their practices from the embrace of ritually polluted substances to the healing of stigmatized diseases. In the process; they have become a large; socially mainstream; and politically powerful organization. Based on extensive fieldwork; this lucidly written book explores the dynamics of pollution; death; and healing in Aghor medicine. Ron Barrett examines a range of Aghor therapies from ritual bathing to modified Ayurveda and biomedicines and clarifies many misconceptions about this little-studied group and its highly unorthodox; powerful ideas about illness and healing.
#671170 in Books 2005-04-25 2005-04-25Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.90 x .95 x 5.80l; 3.00 #File Name: 0520242637377 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A must read review for anyone interested in the region; not only Iran; on how the gender norms evolve through modernizationBy Ali FeizzadehThe book provides a less-heard point of view on gender; sexuality and modernization (read westernization) in Iran; with great applicability to the wider region.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy CustomerIt was in pristine condition! Thanks a lot :)0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy TaraNot as accessable as I was hoping but I definitely feel blessed that this info is out there.
