EARTHQUAKE AND THE BREAKDOWN OF SILENCE: THE TRAUMA-LAMENTATION INTERACTION

Abstract

The life cycle, which reflects chaos on one side and cosmos on the other, manifests itself in the structure of the human spirit and body. Within this cycle, individuals encounter both joys and traumas, which leave deep imprints in their memories. Accumulated experiences in memory find expression for various reasons; disasters such as death, loss, accidents, earthquakes, and floods are etched into memory and profoundly affect the psyche. The pain, deprivation, and struggle to cope with sudden changes experienced by individuals or collectives after trauma give rise to the lamentation, a ritual form of mourning. Lamentations are expressions of the pains embedded in memory and serve as methods of coping with the disruption of order. Unexpected and sorrowful changes prompt the mind to seek cooperation and explore physical and psychological outlets. Earthquakes, being sudden and devastating disasters, have been articulated through laments that express the profound suffering they cause. This study examines contemporary lamentations recorded on YouTube shortly after the two significant earthquakes that struck the Kahramanmaraş-Pazarcık region on February 6, 2023. It evaluates how these lamentations are related to traumatic experiences and their functions within collective memory. The trauma-lamentation-healing paradigm is critical for understanding the emergence of laments. The reasons for their performance by the public and their placement within collective memory form the central focus of the investigation. Additionally, the triangle of lamentation, trauma, and healing is discussed in the context of ancient human behavior, emphasizing how this triad is situated within memory. © 2024 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.