“A daughter for seven minutes”

Abstract

In this contribution, a form of possession mediumship among the Vāḍabalija, a South Indian fishing caste is analysed. Anthropological studies of this form of possession have generally emphasized its therapeutic effect. A possession séance is in the first place a verbal event. It is through language that reality is created. Therefore, the focus here will be on the text spoken during possession. It is argued that although possession mediumship can be interpreted as indigenous psychotherapy, it is also a ritual event in which divinities are worshipped, in which the cosmic order is reconfirmed, and which people attend not only to ask for advice but also to have darśan–that is, to see the divine being and be in its presence. As a consequence, the medium who is the vessel of the deity, has to cope with two forms of discourse, a therapeutic discourse, which has to refer to individual problems, and a divine discourse, which has to give a correct account of things belonging to the divine realm. The authority of the medium and the effectiveness of the divine words depend on the ability of the medium to combine the two forms of discourse. How this task is accomplished by the medium will be shown here.