book chapter
Priests, spirit mediums, and guerillas in Suriname
transactions : essays in honor of jeremy f. boissevain • A,Msterdam • Published In 1994 • Pages: 209-228
By: Thoden van Velzen, H. U. E..
Abstract
This is an article about the rediscovery of Ndyuka possession cults and medicinemen by young, urbanized maroons who joined the rebel army during Suriname's civil war (1986-1989). Traditional medicinemen took care of the wounded in the interior. Also, members of the rebel group found a magic elixer (OBEAH) and fell into a trance. Impressed by the magic and spirits of traditional religion, the army began to employ traditional medicinemen to perform protective rituals. However, this practice backfired on some medicinemen, following disastrous military campaigns. The rebel army also tried to get priests, who controlled important cults which lay at the center of Ndyuka social organization, to mobilize the local population to their cause. However, the priests were circumspect, wishng to protect their power base from outside manipulation.
- HRAF PubDate
- 1999
- Region
- South America
- Sub Region
- Amazon and Orinoco
- Document Type
- book chapter
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard ; 1997
- Field Date
- not specified
- Coverage Date
- 1980-1989
- Coverage Place
- Suriname
- Notes
- Bonno Thoden van Velzen
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 227-228)
- LCCN
- 94227141
- LCSH
- Djuka people