Event

CineSeattle: Grissi Sikinis

Grissi Siknis, la enfermedad magica de la selva

94 Minutes /2008-Nicaragua (*Coproduction Spain, Mexico) West Coast Premiere
Miskito, Spanish w/ English subtitles.

Directed by/Dirigido por: Enrique Ruiz-Skipey

The jungle madness known as Grissi Siknis is a contagious, naturally bound syndrome occuring among the Miskito of Eastern Central America. It predominately affects young women. Grissi Siknis is typically characterized by long periods of anxiety, nausea dizziness, irrational anger and fear. These periods are interlaced with shorter periods of rapid frenzy, in which the victim loses consciousness, believes that devils beat them, and has sexual relations with them. Traditional Miskito belief holds that Grissi Siknis is the result of evil spirits or black sorcerers. While western medicine typically has no effect on the sick, the remedies of Miskito herbalists are often successful in curing the madness.