“It Makes Me Complete”
Ideas of Possession October 29, 2024 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1093/9780197679951.003.0011
Summary
Spirit possession in Afro-Brazilian religions like candomblé is best understood not as a universal phenomenon but as a culturally specific practice shaped by social context. Fieldwork in Brazilian religious communities and interviews with practitioners reveal that personal experiences of possession are deeply embedded in local traditions and meanings. The chapter argues for a deictic approach that prioritizes the particular cultural and social circumstances of each community over any one-size-fits-all explanation.
Study at a glance
| Design | qualitative study |
|---|---|
| Population | members of candomblé communities in Brazil |
| Key finding | Spirit possession in candomblé should be understood through a deictic, context-sensitive framework rather than a universalist lens. |
Abstract
Abstract Drawing on fieldwork in different religious communities in Brazil, this chapter explores spirit possession as cultural practice, with a particular focus on candomblé, one of the most celebrated African-derived religions in Brazil. The chapter includes an interview with one member about his difficult journey into this religion and his experience with the divine. Drawing on comments from members of candomblé communities reflecting on their personal experiences of spirit possession, the chapter argues against a universalist approach to spirit possession, arguing rather for a deictic understanding that recognizes the importance of social and cultural contexts.