Re: Conreligion

JOEL MATTHEW PEARSON wrote:
> Mahalek are not a stable fixture of Tokana life (not every village has
> a mahalek in residence).  Instead, they pop up from time to time, often
> attracting large groups of fanatical followers.  Mahalek are viewed
> by the Tokana as a highly disruptive, but also highly natural, part of
> life.  Tokana folktales are full of stories about the exploits of
> particularly mad or powerful mahalek.
Reminds me of the Native American berdache, and also the supposed
messiahs throughout Jewish history (and more recent cult leaders). Were
there ever any mahalek that left lasting impressions on the culture?

Also, does this culture live in the same "reality" as we do, but in a
different time, or are they in a different "reality"?