A Sociological Study of Paranormal Beliefs and Experiences in a Village in West Bengal
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2026.v11.n01.004Keywords:
Ghost beliefs, Paranormal, Ambiguity, SociologyAbstract
This article examines the manifestations of paranormality in a village in West Bengal. It begins by engaging with sociological understandings of the idea of paranormal and then situates these ideas within the specific local context. The article further explores how ghost beliefs are positioned within broader notions of the paranormal in the selected village. It highlights the need to understand how people make sense of contested issues by examining the particular social context and the diverse forms of knowledge and belief. Drawing on empirical evidence, the study demonstrates how villagers collectively interpret certain events or situations as having paranormal qualities. Finally, the study highlights the central role of ambiguity in shaping these interpretations.
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