The Socio-Religious Hierarchy: (2) Spirit Possession
Ann Patricia Caplan
August 16, 2018 DOI: 10.4324/9781351028462-6 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Ethnography |
|---|---|
| Population | Residents of Minazini village |
| Key findings | The chapter argues that spirit possession in Minazini, though condemned by pious Muslims and associated with low status, involves a very large number of villagers and provides a means of coping with sickness and death. It distinguishes sea spirits (majini) from land spirits (mashaitani) and relates possession to descent groups and the socio-religious hierarchy. |
Abstract
Spirits are thought to be everywhere, and they can be of all types—male, female, weak, strong—almost any adjective can be applied to one or other of them. Of greater importance for this discussion are the types of spirit which can be contacted. In Minazini these may be conveniently divided into two types—those of the sea ( majini , sing, jini ), and those of the land ( mashaitani , sing, shaitani ). This chapter explores the relationship between the descent groups and the socio-religious hierarchy in Minazini by a consideration of spirit possession activities. Spirit possession in this society is condemned by pious Muslims, particularly by the Sheikh, the mosque officials, most of the Koranic teachers, and others of high status, and its practitioners are regarded as of low status as a result. Nonetheless spirit possession activities concern a very large number of people in the village, and provide them with a means of coping with such vital problems as sickness and death.