Narrative expressions of despair under occupation

Bibliographic Data

ID7640809
AuthorsNadia Dabbagh (0000-0001-5340-0110, corresponding author), Nadia Taysir Dabbagh
Year2004
Volume11
Issue2
Pages201-220
Publication date2004-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAnthropology and Medicine (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1364-8470 • E-ISSN: 1469-2910
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13648470410001678686
PMID26868202
OpenAlexW1993880954
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited9

As part of the first anthropological study on suicide in the contemporary Arab world, 31 suicide narratives from Palestinians living under Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza were collected and analysed within their cultural, socio-economic and political contexts. The sexual segregation of the mainly Muslim society was reflected in the different expressions of distress used in the female and male narratives. Women felt 'pressurized', 'suffocated', 'nervy', with their emotions about to explode. Their suicide attempts were spontaneous outbursts of emotional frustration. Men appeared 'worn out', 'tired', 'depressed' and dying seemed more honourable than living unable to gain status or even become a social adult male. These narratives of suffocation and frustration provide some understanding of reactions to the current dire political and economic situation faced by Palestinians living under siege as Israel uses ever more drastic measures to subdue the population. For suicide bombers, death may also seem more honourable than life under oppression

Ancient history · Distress · Narrative · Oppression · Political science · Politics · Population · Psychotherapist · Siege · Sociology · Demography · Gender Studies · Health and Conflict Studies · History · Law · Migration, Health and Trauma · Psychology · Social Psychology · Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence

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