Journal | Lagoonscapes
Monographic journal issue | 3 | 2 | 2023
Research Article | The Monstrous Sea
The Monstrous Sea
Abstract
Through an anthropological lens, this essay examines the sea’s dual capacities to bring order and chaos. Drawing on a major comparative study, it examines hydro-theological water beings who personify the sea’s agentive powers, compose the world, and move spirit and matter through time and space. It explores the oceans’ capacities to consume human lives and threaten material stability, and considers how people respond to fears of being overwhelmed. It proposes that, rather than trying to control the sea with coastal fortifications, societies should seek more ecologically convivial solutions to stop climate change and support marine ecosystems.
Submitted: Sept. 28, 2023 | Accepted: Oct. 25, 2023 | Published Dec. 20, 2023 | Language: en
Keywords Sustainability • Cosmology • Water beings • Sea • Materiality • Hydro-theology • Tsunamis • Infrastructure
Copyright © 2023 Veronica Strang. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/LGSP/2785-2709/2023/02/007
