{"product_id":"9780826350930","title":"The Mermaid and the Lobster Diver: Gender, Sexuality, and Money on the Miskito Coast","description":"\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor\/Contributor(s):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"\"\u003eHerlihy, Laura Hobson\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUNM Press\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6\/1\/2012\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBinding:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"\"\u003ePaperback\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"\"\u003eNEW\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003eApproximately 90 percent of Miskitu boys and men in the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve along the north coast of Honduras have worked as deepwater divers in the lobster industry and their participation has left an indelible imprint on their society. While lobster diving is lucrative, it is also a life-threatening occupation and many divers have been injured or killed from decompression sickness--locally referred to as \u003ci\u003eliwa mairin siknis\u003c\/i\u003e (Mermaid sickness). According to Miskitu folklore, the Mermaid is the main water spirit, owner of all fresh and saltwater resources and capable of punishing male divers for extracting too many of her lobsters. Wary of the wrath of the supernatural \u003ci\u003eliwa mairin\u003c\/i\u003e, these men face another threat on shore: Miskitu women who use sexual magic--\u003ci\u003epraidi saihka\u003c\/i\u003e--as a tool to control men's wages and ensure that they continue to provide them with money.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eInterspersed with short stories, songs, and incantations, \u003ci\u003eThe Mermaid and the Lobster Diver\u003c\/i\u003e demonstrates the archetypes of femininity and masculinity within Miskitu society, highlighting the power associated with women's sexuality--as manifested in both goddess and human form--and the vulnerable position of men.","brand":"UNM Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43410512609535,"sku":"9780826350930","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0452\/0886\/2873\/files\/Jacket_cc9893b8-6ced-436e-93ea-8457e22d87eb.jpg?v=1751815488","url":"https:\/\/massivebookshop.com\/products\/9780826350930","provider":"MASSIVE BOOKSHOP","version":"1.0","type":"link"}