Trance, Possession, Shamanism and Sex
Anthropology of Consciousness March 1, 2003 DOI: 10.1525/ac.2003.14.1.20
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe paper reviews the concept of altered states of consciousness (ASC) as an umbrella term in the anthropology of religion, focusing on trance, possession, and shamanism. It highlights the complex and problematic links between these phenomena and music, beginning with trance and emphasizing the pervasive sexual imagery invoked in these contexts. The review covers psychological, sociological, and religious aspects of ASC.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 18 |
| Key finding | Altered states of consciousness are central to the anthropology of religion, with trance, possession, and shamanism all involving complex and problematic links to music and pervasive sexual imagery. |
Abstract
Altered States of Consciousness is an umbrella term applied in the study of psychological, sociological and religious phenomena that are regularly encountered experientially in the study of trance, possession, and shamanism, all of which have complex and problematic links with music. Beginning with trance, and stressing the pervasive sexual imagery invoked, this paper reviews the role ofASC in these three areas in the anthropology of religion.