Spirit Possession and Trance New Interdisciplinary Perspectives [Paperback]

Spirit possession is a phenomenon that often elicits a response of fear, particular in those who are ignorant of its meaning and role within its particular religious and cultural traditions. Possession by divine beings (such as spirits or gods) is, however,?a key practice in religions worldwide. It is therefore important to gain an understanding of this practice in its cultural context before trying to develop a wider theory about it.

This fascinating book contains several case studies that present new interpretations of spirit possession worldwide. The authors show the diversity of possible interpretations and methodological approaches that provide a new insight into the understanding of possession and trance.

Bettina E. Schmidt is a cultural anthropologist and Senior Lecturer in Study of Religions at Bangor University, UK.

Lucy Huskinson is Lecturer in the Philosophy of Religion at Bangor University, UK.

Introduction: Problems of Understanding Possession and Trance Lucy Huskinson and Bettina E. Schmidt (Bangor University, UK)1. Animism Rather than Shamanism: New Approaches to What Shamans Do (for Other Animists), Graham Harvey (The Open University, UK) 2. Possession and Self-Possession: Towards an Integrated Mind-Body Perspective, Geoffrey Samuel (Cardiff University, UK) 3. Spirit Possession, Seduction, and Collective Consciousness, Louise Child (Cardiff University, UK) 4. Analytical Psychology and Spirit Possession. Towards a Non-Pathological Diagnosis of Spirit Possession, Lucy Huskinson (Bangor University, UK) 5. Possessed Women in the African Diaspora: Gender Difference in Spirit Possession Rituals, Bettina E. Schmidt (Bangor University, UK) 6. Somali Saar in the Era of Social and Religious Change, Marja Tiilikainen (University of Helsinki, Finland) 7. Taking Possession of Santo Daime: The Growth of Umbanda within a Brazilian New Religion, Andrew Dawson (Lancaster University, UK) 8. Spirit Attacks in Northern Namibia: Interpretinglƒ+