Metrics
12 File views/ downloads
232 Record Views
Journal article
Afro-Cuban ritual use of human remains: Medicolegal considerations
Journal of Forensic Identification, Vol.67, pp.1-30
67
2017
Abstract
Medicolegal professionals occasionally encounter human remains that have been used for ritual purposes. In the state of Florida, practitioners of the Afro-Cuban religious system of Palo (a Kongo-inspired religion frequently referred to as Palo Mayombe) use human skulls and crania in religious rituals [1–3]. Recent research by forensic anthropologists from the University of Florida’s C.A. Pound Human Identification Laboratory (CAPHIL) has identified biocultural and taphonomic signatures left by Palo practices on human remains [3]. Some of the traits included in the biocultural and taphonomic signatures are shared by other Afro-Cuban religious systems–most notably, Ocha (often called Santería), Palo’s Yoruba-inspired cousin religion [3–6]. However, other traits constitute unique elements of Palo ritual [4, 5], enabling anthropologists to identify the religious affiliation of these assemblages with confidence [3].
We begin this paper with a literature review describing the religious systems of Ocha and Palo, the major components of Afro-Cuban ritual assemblages, and the history of medicolegal interactions with these assemblages. We then enhance existing Afro-Cuban biocultural and taphonomic signatures [3] with new observational data and present a synthesis of material cultural and biological data to enable further specificity in identifying Palo assemblages. Finally, we outline medicolegal considerations for the identification and handling of these ritual assemblages of human remains and material culture. We provide background on the legal and illegal sourcing of ritual human remains, recommendations for criminal investigations, and guidelines for the safe and ethical handling of these unique assemblages–including cases in which they have been contaminated with elemental mercury.
Related links
Details
- Title
- Afro-Cuban ritual use of human remains
- Publication Details
- Journal of Forensic Identification, Vol.67, pp.1-30
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publisher
- International Association for Identification
- Series
- 67
- Format
- pdf
- Copyright
- © International Association for Identification
- Identifiers
- 99380090343306600
- Academic Unit
- Anthropology; College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities
- Language
- English