This comparative study of African and Hindu popular religions in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago charts the development of religion in the Caribbean by analyzing the ways ecstatic forms of worship, enacted through trance performance and spirit mediumship, have adapted to capitalism and reconfigured themselves within the context of modernity. Showing how diasporic traditions of West African Orisha Worship and South Asian Shakti Puja converged in their ritual adaptations to colonialism in the West Indies, as well as diverged politically within the context of postcolonial multiculturalism, Keith McNeal reveals the unexpected ways these traditions of trance performance have become both globalized and modernized. The first book-length work to compare and contrast Afro- and Indo-Caribbean materials in a systematic and multidimensional manner, this volume makes fresh and innovative contributions to anthropology, religious studies, and the historiography of modernity. By giving both religious subcultures and their intersections equal attention, McNeal offers a richly textured account of southern Caribbean cultural history and pursues important questions about the history and future of religion.

This Is A New Release Of The Original 1921 Edition.

The Vikings Bok, commonly known as the Poetic Edda, is the spiritual foundation for the Heathen revival today. It is the indigenous, historical remains of a once widespread Teutonic spirituality that has been too long absent from the Western world. This newly revised edition is based on the rare and highly acclaimed Olive Bray translation. Together with a New Glossary of modern Heathen terms and a concise introduction, this single source book is a practical "must have" for those interested in following the Northern Way

The Temiar are a Mon-Khmer-speaking group living in the uplands of northern Peninsular Malaysia. People in the region once practised Mahayana Buddhism and later Islam, but when Geoffrey Benjamin began his fieldwork in 1964, the Temiar practised a localised and unexportable animistic religion. Over a period of nearly 50 years he has followed the Temiar community, witnessing a series of changes that have seen them become ever more embedded in broader Malaysian society. Benjamin's work traces a process of religious enchantment, disenchantment and re-enchantment, as the Temiars reacted in various ways to Baha'i, Islam and Christianity, including developing their own new religion. In a text enriched by detailed ethnographic reportage, Benjamin draws on the Temiar experience to set out a novel theory of religion, and to explore the changing intellectual framework of anthropology over the past half-century.

After saving up and buying land to farm, Hen-Thorir was not a favorite among his new neighbor's. The communication between them reaches its peak when Hen-Thorir refuses to sell them hay for the winter. When his neighbors take the hay anyway, he burns them alive in their farmstead. A vendetta ensues in which Hen-Thorir is killed and beheaded.This saga highlights aspects of Norse culture, such as hospitality to guests and travellers, generosity to ones neighbors, and the need to gather support of others in order to obtain justice.

Within the West African cultural spirituality of the Yoruba, Ela is known as the Spirit of Light and Manifestation meaning all things came into existence here on Ikole Aye (Earth) by way of Ela. Ela can also be summarized as the Holy Spirit of Ifa and interchangeably used as another name for Orunmila Elerin Ipin Ibikeji Olodumare (Orunmila, Withness of Creation, Second to the Creator). It is by way of Ela that Ifa became acceptable throughout the world and Orunmila accepted by followers, including followers in secret. In "Ela, The Ifa Concept of Altered States," Awo Falokun opens the dialogue once again on how devotees can continue to seat Ifa in the West. His approach to the subject of Ela is not the way, but a way to create and maintain Extended Family and Community. Knowledge of Ela and the Orisa is not enough - through the possession (spiritual access to the wisdom) of Ela, Ifa devotees can begin to heal ourselves of the negative influences of the Western World View, past and present, and heal the Ifa Community and the world around us. In this book, Awo Falokun teaches that the basis of Traditional Yoruba Spirituality is Good Character, which is accessible through Ela, and how it is essential to go into possession with the Spirit of Orunmila in order to maintain good character and banish the negative forces that create ori buruku, i.e., gossip, jealousy, lying, stealing, violence, etc.

What is the first thing a Rastafari does when he/she wakes up in the morning? What is the correct way to grow dreadlocks as a Rasta? What products do Rasta in the Caribbean use to wash their dreadlocks and why? What are 10 Essentials of a Rastafari Home? What can one do to Convert to the Rastafari Livity? What are some Bible Chapters special to Rasta and why? "Rasta Way of Life" is a book for the student of Rastafari Livity. Follow the way life of Jah Rastafari, dictated to Rasta, to enter Holy Mount Zion.

Descended from a Werewolf Egil stirs up trouble with his first murder with an axe at the age of seven. The story goes on to tell the tales of Egil's voyages to Scandinavia and England and his personal vendetta against King Eric Bloodaxe.

This book is written to create awareness and see if adequate interpretation would be given to certain phenomena and calamities created by the vagaries of nature and induced by spirits, Agwu inclusive, and suggest how they can be resolved. To do this, Agwu has examined the concept in all its tendencies and ramifications.

It tries to explain the relationship between Agwu and other creatures from the sources of life-Supreme Being-to the least inanimate object. The moral standard set by Agwu to its worshippers has been a masterpiece incentive and also a source of inspiration to ordinary mortals who watch with admiration the special Agwu elect.

This saga tells the story of two Icelandic poets Gunnlaugr ormstunga and Hrafn Onundarson, and their competition for the love of Helga the Fair, granddaughter of Egill Skallagrimsson. The story opens with a prophetic dream of two eagles fighting over a swan, prefiguring the love triangle in the story. The story then follows Gunnlaugr as it describes his ambitious career as a court poet. He first competes with Hrafn (Raven) in verse and later in battle.

Asatru, or Heathenry, is based on the pre-Christian religion and way-of-life of our Northern European Ancestors. Modern Heathen honor the true Gods of their ancestors, and we honor them in the ways that they did. We also honor our ancestors and the spirits of the land. Heathenry is very family oriented, and encourages us to live responsible lives of honor. Nothing is more important than our families and the children that we bring into this world. The modern heathen fables within are just one part of a larger puzzle of finding better ways of sharing our way-of-life with our children. This book brings together all of the essays written by the author to-date on the topic of Heathen children and families. Love your children, give gifts to your Gods, honor your ancestors, and respect the Vaettir of the land. Hail our Folk

This book is designed for those who want to deepen thier awareness of Rastafari Culture. Many questions answered such as...Who created Rastafari and why? Why is King Selassie I so special in Rastafarianism? What are some of the Principles and Beliefs that Rasta live by day to day? What formula does Rasta use to enter Holy Mount Zion? What does it mean to "Live Natural" as Rasta? The truth of Rastafari and how it began still remains untold. As a Rastafari Empress it is the very purpose of my birth to explain the true meaning of Rastafari. Learn 16 Principles of Rastafari, as they pertain to "Self," "Others," and "Zion." 5 Truths of Jah, and the "meaning of life" according to Rastafari. Blessed.