Erika Bourguignon

Born in Vienna in 1924, Erika Bourguignon fled Austria in 1938 due to Nazi annexation. After emigrating to the United States, she pursued anthropology, earning a B.A. from Queens College and later undertaking graduate studies at Northwestern University under prominent scholars. Her early fieldwork in Wisconsin among the Chippewa and in Haiti laid the foundation for her lifelong research interests. Bourguignon then joined the faculty of Ohio State University, where she taught for over four decades and served as Chair of the Anthropology Department. She was recognized as a foremost authority on trance and altered states of consciousness and is considered a founder of the anthropology of consciousness. She passed away in 2015.

Bourguignon's extensive research focused on possession trance, particularly within the context of Haitian Vodou, and other culturally sanctioned and unsanctioned altered states of consciousness. Her work explored the intersection of religion, altered states, and social change, as well as the role of women in these phenomena. Beyond her academic pursuits, she was involved in various initiatives, including a radio show on world music and advocating for women in academia. Her academic career was marked by significant contributions to psychological anthropology and the cross-cultural study of consciousness.

Erika Bourguignon established herself as a preeminent anthropological authority on trance, possession, and altered states of consciousness. Her academic journey, influenced by mentors like Melville Herskovits, led her to conduct significant fieldwork in Haiti. This research became central to her understanding of culturally sanctioned trance states, such as those found in Haitian Vodou, and their relationship to religious practices. She expanded her inquiry to include other altered states, both those accepted and those considered pathological within different societies, contributing to the development of cross-cultural psychiatry. Her work explored the complex interplay between individual psychological experiences and broader societal structures, particularly concerning religious beliefs and practices.

Considered one of the founders of the anthropology of consciousness, Bourguignon's work delved into the cross-cultural understanding of psychological and psychiatric phenomena. A significant thread in her research was the examination of gender roles within possession cults and altered states, often linking these to social and environmental factors. Her extensive publications explored these themes, including edited volumes that gathered anthropological studies on women across diverse societies. Her commitment extended to practical advocacy, as she was instrumental in establishing the Council on Academic Excellence for Women at Ohio State University, serving as its first chair. This dual focus on theoretical contributions to consciousness studies and applied work in women's studies highlights the breadth of her academic impact.

Bourguignon spent over forty years as a faculty member at The Ohio State University, rising to the position of Professor and Chair of the Anthropology Department. Throughout her career, she was an active participant in academic organizations, notably the Society for Psychological Anthropology. Her research culminated in numerous articles, reviews, and books, solidifying her reputation. Post-retirement, she remained engaged, returning to Vienna and writing about her experiences, and co-authoring a memoir. Her legacy is honored through initiatives like the Paul H. and Erika Bourguignon Lecture Series at Ohio State, underscoring her lasting influence on the fields of psychological anthropology and the study of altered states of consciousness.

“considered the premier anthropological authority on trance, possession, and altered states of consciousness”

“one of the founders of the field of anthropology of consciousness”

“above all for her pioneering work on the relationship of religious trance to gender roles and social change”

“a preeminent psychological anthropologist as well as the premier anthropological authority on trance, possession and altered states of consciousness”