From the Grave into the Spirit World:: An analysis of a Caribbean snuff inhaler in the context of complex Amerindian deathways on Saba, Lesser Antilles (1300-1350 CE)

At the excavations of Kelbey's Ridge II (1300-1350 CE) a male individual is discovered with a fish-shaped inhaler and two avian long bones in burial F068. Within this inhaler traces of cohoba (Anadenanthera peregrina) can be found. This hallucinogenic snuff was used by caciques (chiefs) and behiques (shamans) of pre-Columbian peoples to get into a trance-like state and commune with the spirit world during a ''ritual de la cojoba''. The inhalers used during this ritual, along with other ritual paraphernalia, were considered to have great spiritual significance. Among the many pre-Columbian cultures of the Caribbean and the Orinoco delta, from which Anadenanthera peregrina was spread to the Cairbbean, it is customary when an individual passes away to burn and destroy their possesions. There are however instances documented where objects of great spiritual significance, like the ritual paraphernalia, are not destroyed but placed inside the graves of their owners. The individual buried...Show moreAt the excavations of Kelbey's Ridge II (1300-1350 CE) a male individual is discovered with a fish-shaped inhaler and two avian long bones in burial F068. Within this inhaler traces of cohoba (Anadenanthera peregrina) can be found. This hallucinogenic snuff was used by caciques (chiefs) and behiques (shamans) of pre-Columbian peoples to get into a trance-like state and commune with the spirit world during a ''ritual de la cojoba''. The inhalers used during this ritual, along with other ritual paraphernalia, were considered to have great spiritual significance. Among the many pre-Columbian cultures of the Caribbean and the Orinoco delta, from which Anadenanthera peregrina was spread to the Cairbbean, it is customary when an individual passes away to burn and destroy their possesions. There are however instances documented where objects of great spiritual significance, like the ritual paraphernalia, are not destroyed but placed inside the graves of their owners. The individual buried at Kelbey's Ridge II was buried with a complete snuff inhaler and one might conclude that this individual in grave F068 would not only use the inhaler during the cohoba ritual, but also had such a strong connection to it, that he was buried with it.Show less

Leiden University Student Repository

Documents

In Collections

From the Grave into the Spirit World: An analysis of a Caribbean snuff inhaler in the context of complex Amerindian deathways on Saba, Lesser Antilles (1300-1350 CE)