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The article is an attempt to analyze the psychopathology of the certain rites of passage in the Polish folk and urban tradition. There are many rituals described in the ethnographic and sociological literature but for the analysis, we have chosen those characterized by the greatest richness of form. These are mainly the ones associated with marriage or the very rare customs of the carnival cultivated only in a few regions. For instance, there are the rituals: "The Beheading of Death" in Jedlińsk / Radom region / and "Burning of Judas" or "Judaszki" known in the various regions of Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A stigma is a notion used in some religions to describe the wounds which were symbols of a special relationship to God. The phenomenon is known in Christianity (the wounds corresponding to Christ's wounds in His forehead, hands, feet and side) and Islam (the wounds corresponding to those of Mohammed that he suffered during his battles). Stigmata were the reason of lots of controversies, especially those concerning their authenticity and the ability of their bearers to control them. In the article I would like to refer the phenomenon of stigmata occurrence to the interpretation suggested in the subject literature - in terms of dissociational or controversial phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trance is a medical term contained in Chapter V of International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD -- 10) in the part of dissociational disorders (F44.3 together with possession) and means a disorder characterised by transitional loss of own identity and decline of complete understanding of the surroundings. In this article I would like to deal only with a part of the phenomena of trance, dependent on will, performed in traditional Polish rural dance culture. Phenomena of trances and ecstasy, which are frequently identified with each other, have been named by the researchers of the subject as altered states of conscience and mean particular states caused by physiological or psychological factors, which are characterised by the deviation in subjective understanding of the reality and the change towards the approved forms of behaviour during experiencing them. Musical-dancing trance rituals are perceived as the elements of the phenomenon of Catharsis. Polish traditional dances like mazurek or oberek include trance elements similar to tarantella, whirling dervishes and Hasidic dances. Impressions which appear during the performance of dances with rotation are not as deep as trances described as states of conscience with deviation in subjective understanding of the reality and the change towards the approved forms of behaviour during experiencing them. Long-time rotation and changes in labyrinthine system of brain are very important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maria Wnęk has left many works, most originated from the years 1973-1991 situated in the private collections, the galleries and museums in Poland and abroad. It is interesting that there is no extensive knowledge about her, and a similar situation is with other Polish art brut artists. Present in these works inspirations with the folk culture and iconic painting are probably no longer so surprising and original like 30 years ago, when they were created. The presence of the schizophrenic features in these artistic expressions is connected with the long-lasting psychotic process. The influences of folk culture characteristic for the Wnęk's region are not surprising. The religiousness of Maria Wnęk connected with the traditions of Kalwaria Zebrzydowskia is reflected in many of her works. The analysis of her creation, same as of the described earlier Edmund Monsiel's works, is the perfect lesson of psychopathology for the young psychiatrists and a very interesting subject for the art historians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maria Wnęk has left many works, most originated from the years 1973 - 1991 situated in the private collections, the galleries and museums in Poland and abroad. It is interesting that there is no extensive knowledge about her, and a similar situation is with other Polish art brut artists. Present in these works inspirations with the folk culture and iconic painting are probably no longer so surprising and original like 30 years ago, when they were created. The presence of the schizophrenic features in these artistic expressions is connected with the long-lasting psychotic process. The influences of folk culture characteristic for the Wnęk's region are not surprising. The religiousness of Maria Wnęk connected with the traditions of Kalwaria Zebrzydowskia is reflected in many of her works. The analysis of her creation, same as of the described earlier Edmund Monsiel's works, is the perfect lesson of psychopathology for the young psychiatrists and a very interesting subject for the art historians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]