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Article
Sacred play: an ancient contribution to contemporary play theory
Annals of Leisure Research
  • Susan L. Ross, San Jose State University
Publication Date
1-1-2021
Document Type
Article
DOI
10.1080/11745398.2020.1742751
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
Citation Information
Susan L. Ross. "Sacred play: an ancient contribution to contemporary play theory" Annals of Leisure Research Vol. 24 Iss. 1 (2021) p. 114 - 131
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/susan_ross/113/