Trance, Possession, Shamanism and Sex
Anthropology of Consciousness March 1, 2003 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1525/ac.2003.14.1.20
Summary
The paper reviews the role of Altered States of Consciousness (ASC) in the anthropology of religion, focusing on trance, possession, and shamanism, emphasizing their complex connections with music and the pervasive sexual imagery associated with trance experiences. It highlights how these phenomena are encountered in psychological, sociological, and religious contexts.
Study at a glance
| Key finding | The paper emphasizes the complex links between ASC, trance, possession, shamanism, and music within the anthropology of religion. |
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Abstract
Altered States of Consciousness is an umbrella term applied in the study of psychological, sociological and religious phenomena that are regularly encountered experientially in the study of trance, possession, and shamanism, all of which have complex and problematic links with music. Beginning with trance, and stressing the pervasive sexual imagery invoked, this paper reviews the role ofASC in these three areas in the anthropology of religion.