Lightning, Sacrifice, and Possession in the Traditional Religions of the Caucasus Author(s): Kevin Tuite Source: Anthropos, Bd. 99, H. 1. (2004), pp. 143-159 Published by: Anthropos Institute Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/40466310 . Accessed: 18/08/2011 08:53 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact
[email protected]. Anthropos Institute is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Anthropos. http://www.jstor.org I Anthropos jy 99.2004: 143-159 ^ Lightning,Sacrifice, and Possession in the TraditionalReligions of the Caucasus KevinTuite Abstract. - In many communitiesof the West Caucasus, tainoverlooking the village Shuapxo in thehigh- lightning-strikevictims were regarded with particularawe, land provinceof Pshavi in northeastGeorgia. and a dance was performedaround their bodies duringwhich Those who attendthe annualsummer festival at the name of one or another is with the god uttered,along for the most members mysteriousvocable coppa. Data concerningthis ritualwill be Iremtk'alo, part of the framedin an analysis of the representationsof possession, Udzilaurtaclan, must hike uphill for at leastthree sacrifice, and, in general, the appropriationof people or hoursfrom the nearest village, if theygo on foot animals by divine beings in traditionalCaucasian religious (as mostdid until Iremtk'alois Certainfeatures of the of the Pshavs veryrecently).