ANTH 2620 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Sub-Saharan Africa, Spirit Possession, The Possession
26 Sep 2016
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Different colonies had a different religion they loped. Islam came to africa shortly after it was founded. Lots of debates of what people should be doing and not: spirit possession. Refers to an invisible spirit taking over your body. Could be an animal spirit, force spirit or could be a spirit representing a certain genre of people. Occasionally occurs randomly - spirit just grabs you. Often their is a ritual to call the spirit to the person. People who get possessed are called mediums - mediums for the spirit - it is a gift for the spirit. You typically call the spirit because you have a question for the spirit - seeking explanation for something specific. De-possession- person typically wiped out - but then returns to every day life. 2 common use of spirit possession is divination or healing. Paul stoller worked with people who called spirits to help.
