Praising His Name In The Dance: Spirit Possession in the Spiritual Baptist Faith and Orisha Work in Trinidad, West Indies (Studies in Latin America and the Caribbean) [Hardcover]

Kenneth Anthony Lum (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2000 | ISBN-10: 9057026104 | ISBN-13: 978-9057026102 | Edition: 1

The author provides a detailed portrait of the Spiritual Baptist Faith and Orisha Work, two religions that share a common basis in the traditional religion of the Yoruba in West Africa. Specifically, the author studies the phenomenon of spirit possession, an integral aspect of worship in both religions. In the Spiritual Baptist Faith, a person who is possessed by the Holy Spirit retains his or her own identity, while in Orisha Work, those who are possessed by the orishas (spirits), become the spirits. Both types of possession are based on the Yoruba concept of self in which identity is dependent on the spirit which animates a physical body. This common basis of religions enables the respective populations to interact extensively and explains why an individual can experience both types of spiritual possession.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 292 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (February 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9057026104
• ISBN-13: 978-9057026102
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,113,776 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #93 in Books > History > Americas > Caribbean & West Indies > Trinidad and Tobago

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best book on Spiritual baptist faith to-date, November 16, 2007

By 

L. Dalzine - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Praising His Name In The Dance: Spirit Possession in the Spiritual Baptist Faith and Orisha Work in Trinidad, West Indies (Studies in Latin America and the Caribbean) (Hardcover)

I am a new member of the spiritual Baptist faith (Laventille, Trinidad) since 2004. This book is the best book on the religion and the social environment that surrounds it. From the beginning, his personal experiences of racism and exclusion during his research, gives you an idea of the defensive nature of the people, because of the many persecutions received at the hands of Europeans in the post slavery and post colonial time. Also because alot of people came and stole knowledge from our African religions to either suppress them or create misinformation in the public. However this book tells it as it is.

It does not give you everything on the religions but he gives a true picture of what really happens.

He is right when he admits that he can only give account for so much, because for both orisha and baptist you must have the spiritual eye to understand what is happening during worship. So unless you have that gift to see what spirits or saints manifest, or operate, when certain seal are written, or songs are sung, all you would see is a theatrical play or dance. Kenneth was privileged to be among certain priest and has given privileged information. He has been true to the 'faith'.

I have never been to an orisha feast but from what other members say, Kenneth re-affirms. If you buy this book you should also buy 'The Spiritual Baptist Faith by Rev Patricia Stephens.and ----- Reclaiming African Religions in Trinidad by Frances Henry.

They all look at the religions from different perspectives. Buy them all if you can!

I am a Baptist! Why buy this book? Because the traditional ways are being cut out and are not seen any more.

Many leaders have died, not writing anything, and have taken their knowledge to the grave.

Others Baptist, trying to prove themselves Christians to the public, have removed certain elements from their worship.

Change is inevitable.

'But you must remember where you come from, in order to know where you are going'

4.0 out of 5 stars Recommended, October 27, 2001

By 

"realkayak" (Grenada [Caribbean Island]) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Praising His Name In The Dance: Spirit Possession in the Spiritual Baptist Faith and Orisha Work in Trinidad, West Indies (Studies in Latin America and the Caribbean) (Hardcover)

This book has helped me in successfully carrying out an assignmemt for college work. I will recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning or understanding the baptist religion. Kenneth Anthony Lum explains the religion in topic form and very vividly, so there can be no problem in understanding what is read.