Anthropology of Consciousness

Abstract


Volume 14, Number 1, March-June 2003, pages 20-39

Trance, Possession, Shamanism and Sex

I.M. Lewis
Department of Anthropology
London School of Economics
26 Bramshill Gardens
London NW5 1JH England UK

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 of ASC in these three areas in the anthropology of religion.


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copyright 2004 American Anthropological Association