Spirit Possession in a New Religious Context
Andrew Dawson
Nova Religio: The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions May 1, 2012 DOI: 10.1525/nr.2012.15.4.60 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that the growing popularity of Umbanda-inspired spirit possession motifs within Santo Daime is tied to the increasing influence of a white, urban-professional constituency with typically late-modern concerns, and offers a typology of the most prominent forms of possession practiced in the movement. |
Abstract
With specific reference to the spread of non-traditional forms of spirit possession, this article explores the growing influence of the Afro-Brazilian religion of Umbanda upon the Brazilian new religion of Santo Daime. The following material opens by introducing Santo Daime and plotting the historical trajectory of spirit possession from the movement's beginnings in 1930s' Brazil, to its spread to various parts of the industrialized world. Subsequent to detailing the contemporary spirit possession repertoire of Santo Daime, the article offers a typology of the most prominent kinds of spirit possession practiced by Santo Daime. The article closes by relating the increasing popularity of Umbanda-inspired possession motifs to the growing influence of a white, urban-professional constituency imbued with typically late-modern concerns.