Caste-based Oppression, Trauma and Collective Victimhood in Erstwhile South India: The Collective Therapeutic Potential of Theyyam

Abstract

The decades of collective victimhood and trauma that the oppressed lower caste members in the southern state of India (Kerala) suffered in silence were less known to the world until the socio-religious reform movements offered a space for their collective expression of agitation and unrest. With no socially sanctioned channels to express their injustice and pain, the folk ritual of Theyyam often became the alternative for a cathartic release of transgenerational and collective victimhood and trauma long endured by people belonging to these communities. A common theme of Theyyam discussed in literature is the symbolic meaning of ‘empowerment’, ‘dissent’ and ‘protest’ that Theyyam takes on as the performer embodies a chosen deity. The ritual thereby becomes a temporary outlet for the collective rage, anger and resentment endured by people of the oppressed communities over the years. These insights have implied the healing potential of Theyyam as it offers a safe outlet for repressed trauma reactions for individuals as well as for the community, collectively. However, what is relevant to this discussion is the mechanism by which healing processes are activated in Theyyam. This article makes an effort in this direction—the focus is on understanding Theyyam as a psycho-cultural phenomenon and the collective therapeutic dynamics that it offers.