Hi Jaqueline,
I'm on the road right now, but will try to get references to you once I return home.
Best,
Sabina
Sabina Magliocco
Professor
Department of Anthropology
California State University - Northridge
[log in to unmask]
________________________________________
From: Society for The Academic Study of Magic [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of jacqueline simpson [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 3:53 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [ACADEMIC-STUDY-MAGIC] Information on Sin Eaters
Hi Sabina,
That's intriguing! I don't think we in Britain have ever heard of the Appalachian examples -- I certainly haven't. If you can track down the references, I'd be happy to put a note about them in the Folklore Society's newsletter. my email is [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Jacqueline
--- On Tue, 5/4/11, Magliocco, Sabina <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
From: Magliocco, Sabina <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: [ACADEMIC-STUDY-MAGIC] Information on Sin Eaters
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Tuesday, 5 April, 2011, 6:04
The practice of sin-eating was documented in Appalachia into the early 20th century, I think in one of the Foxfire books. Vance Randolph also refers to it in _Ozark Magic and Folklore_. According to this custom, one individual in a community would take upon himself the sins of the deceased by performing a deathbed ritual that involved symbolically eating the dead person's sins. This allegedly allowed the deceased to enter heaven. The sin-eater was often shunned by other community members, because he was already something of an outcast; this practice would only be taken on by a person already marginal in society. Taking all those sins upon him didn't help his reputation, either. And of course, some viewed the practice itself as non-normative and problematic.
I don't know about the origins of this practice, but perhaps another reader can help with that.
Best,
Sabina Magliocco
Professor
Department of Anthropology
California State University - Northridge
[log in to unmask]<[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">http:[log in to unmask]>
________________________________________
From: Society for The Academic Study of Magic [[log in to unmask]<[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">http:[log in to unmask]>] On Behalf Of BJ Duncan [[log in to unmask]<[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">http:[log in to unmask]>]
Sent: Monday, April 04, 2011 7:53 PM
To: [log in to unmask]<[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">http:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: [ACADEMIC-STUDY-MAGIC] Information on Sin Eaters
Hello all... I am one of those non-academics with a keen interest in occult, paranormal and metaphysics.
I am looking for information on the origin and practice of sin eating..
Any thoughts?
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