This index references types of self-harm that are specific to a certain culture, whether geographical or historical. Cases of consented harm, as part of a ritual for example, are included to the list.

B

Battenti: CHRISTIANITY in ITALY – penitents using a Spugna to strike their chest during the Riti Settennali at Guardia Sanframondi; for more information see this article.

Blood matam: SHIA ISLAM – see Tatbir

C

Cilice: CHRISTIANITY – instrument of penance used to perform mortification of the Flesh. It is designed to irritate or hurt the skin, either in the shape of a hairshirt or a chain cilice with spikes

D

Discipline: CHRISTIANITY – whip used as an instrument of penance to perform mortification of the Flesh

F

Flagellanti: CHRISTIANITY in ITALY – penitents using a discipline to whip their back

H

Hairshirt: CHRISTIANITY – shirt made of corse material and used as an instrument of penance to irritate the skin and perform Mortification of the Flesh

Harakiri: JAPAN – common name in the West for Seppuku

J

Jieba: BUDDHISM – Ordination practice in which incense is used to leave burn scars on the scalp of future monks and nuns

Jigai: JAPAN – Feminine counterpart of Seppuku (or Harakiri)

K

Konjō-yaki: JAPAN – test of courage by burning the skin with a cigarette, common among juvenile delinquents

M

Mortification of the flesh: CHRISTIANITY – act of hurting oneself to repent for sins and get closer to the Christ by ressembling him. Several instruments of penance can be used for that purpose, see Cilice, Discipline, Hairshirt and Spugna

P

Phuket Vegetarian Festival: TAOISM in THAILAND – Taoist festival during which participants follow a strict vegetarian diet and perform visual acts of body-piercing, most commonly on the cheek

Q

Qama-zani: SHIA ISLAM – A form of Tatbir by cutting the head

R

Riti Settennali: CHRISTIANITY in ITALY – festival every seven years in the town of Guardia Sanframondi during which penitents, either flagellanti or battenti, perform mortification of the flesh. For more information see this article.

S

Sati: HINDUISM mainly INDIA and NEPAL – self-immolation of a widow on her dead husband’s funeral pyre

Seppuku: JAPAN – Ritualized disembowelling performed by someone in order to achieve an honorable death (often called Hara-kiri in the West)

Sorry cuts: AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINALS – grieving practice that is not normative, but tolerated

Spugna: CHRISTIANITY – circle block of cork containing spikes and needles that is used to strike the chest to perform mortification of the Flesh

Stigmata: CHRISTIANITY – injuries resembling the crucifixion wounds of Jesus Christ caused by psychogenic purpura and / or self-mutilation; ARTICLE HERE

Suttee: HINDUISM – see Sati

T

Tatbir: SHIA ISLAM – controversial ritual bloodletting practiced as an act of mourning the grandson of Muhammad during the Day of Ashura; ARTICLE HERE

Thaipusam: HINDUISM mainly in MALAYSIA and SINGAPORE – ceremony in which devotees pierce their body, often on the cheek or tongue

X

Xo sûtandn: KURDISTAN REGION OF IRAQ – self-immolation as a form of suicide, often committed by young women involved in arranged marriages and who suffer from low women’s rights

Y

Yubitsume: JAPAN – Self-amputation of a portion of a finger to atone for offenses to another, mainly performed by the Yakuza

Z

Zanjeer-zani: SHIA ISLAM – Form of Tatbir by self-flagellation