Sacred play: an ancient contribution to contemporary play theory

Publication Date

1-1-2021

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Annals of Leisure Research

Volume

24

Issue

1

DOI

10.1080/11745398.2020.1742751

First Page

114

Last Page

131

Abstract

This exploratory case study examined pukllay (pook-lee-eye)–directly translated as sacred play–for the purpose of widening Western understandings of play and including non-Western play paradigms in scholarly discourse. The purpose of pukllay is biopsychospiritual development and its activities infiltrate all social structures and daily living of the Q’ero people living remotely in Peru. A review of literature yielded one publication that obliquely describes this complex play type and none that studied it empirically. Data derived from interviews and field observations. Results identified three categories of pukllay and ten subtypes and corresponding cosmology, which constitute the first known written account of pujllay. The discussion suggests that neglect of diverse perspectives will delimit opportunities where play could advance the collective. A call to action challenges the reader to transform through play and to consider that our shared purpose is to be purveyors of psychospiritual growth, interrelatedness, or even illumination.

Keywords

indigenous, initiation, non-Western, play classification, Sacred, transformation

Department

Public Health and Recreation

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