article
Formalised possession among the Tantris and Teyyams of Malabar
South Asia research • 18 (1) • Published In 1998 • Pages: 73-98
By: Freeman, J. R..
Abstract
This essay focuses on commonalities between the more formal Brahmanical temple worship and the less formal (and often overlooked) popular rites of spirit possession in northern Kerala. The discussion begins by emphasizing readily apparent differences: in temple-worship Brahman priests guide prayers to fixed images, while spirit possession entails a category of spirits believed to dwell in the body of possessed individuals. By emphasizing the role of Brahman priests not just as interpreters of scripture but also as mediums of specific deities, the author argues that possession and priesthood are better viewed as complementary and not opposed systems of worship.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2017
- Region
- Asia
- Sub Region
- South Asia
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Anthropologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Teferi Abate Adem
- Field Date
- 1997
- Coverage Date
- 1950-1998
- Coverage Place
- northern Kerala, India
- Notes
- J. R. Freeman
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 95-98)
- LCCN
- 84646160
- LCSH
- Kerala (India)