Poslom
Tzotzil–Tzeltal · numen · Tzotzil–Tzeltal traditional religion; continuing · Recorded classification
Poslom is a disease-causing demon of the Zinacantecos that travels by night as a rolling ball of fire and, striking a sleeper or a passer-by on the trail, raises painful swellings on the body. It is counted among the specific spirit-agents of illness in highland curing lore, its attack diagnosed and treated by the shaman-curers who read the body's signs.
Domains
- disease swelling
- night fire
Powers
- travel by night as a ball of fire
- raise swellings on the stricken
Epithets
- Poslom — the Swelling-demonLaughlin, Robert M. 1977. Of Cabbages and Kings. Smithsonian Contributions to Anthropology 23. (primary)
Sources
- Poslom is a Zinacanteco disease-demon that moves by night as a fireball and raises swellings on its victims.: Laughlin, Robert M. 1977. Of Cabbages and Kings: Tales from Zinacantán. Smithsonian Contributions to Anthropology 23. (primary); Vogt, Evon Z. 1969. Zinacantán. Harvard University Press. (secondary)