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.

中文翻译：

---

南印度东部的基于种姓的压迫，创伤和集体被害：他们的集体治疗潜力

在南部印度宗教（喀拉拉邦）被压迫的低种姓成员在沉默中遭受的数十年集体受难和创伤，直到社会宗教改革运动为他们集体表达激动和动荡的空间而为人所知。由于没有受到社会制裁的渠道来表达他们的不公正和痛苦，因此，他们镇的民间仪式经常成为宣泄释放代代相传和集体受害者以及长期遭受这些社区人民痛苦的替代方法。文学中讨论的他们的一个共同主题是，他们在表演者体现特定神灵时所扮演的“授权”，“异议”和“抗议”的象征意义。仪式因此成为集体愤怒的临时出口，这些年来，被压迫社区的人民忍受了愤怒和不满。这些见解暗示了他们的治愈潜力，因为它们为压抑个人和社区的集体创伤提供了安全的出路。但是，与本讨论相关的是它们在Lyyam中激活愈合过程的机制。本文朝着这个方向做出了努力-重点是了解他们是一种心理文化现象及其提供的集体治疗动力。与本次讨论相关的是他们在Yayam中激活愈合过程的机制。本文朝着这个方向做出了努力-重点是了解他们是一种心理文化现象及其提供的集体治疗动力。与本次讨论相关的是他们在Yayam中激活愈合过程的机制。本文朝着这个方向做出了努力-重点是了解他们是一种心理文化现象及其提供的集体治疗动力。