The Taste of Blood: Spirit Possession in Brazilian Candomblé

The Taste of Blood brilliantly explores both Condomble and the representations of ethnographic research.--Folklore Forum Enter the fascinating world of the Condomble regions of Brazil, where interaction between spirits and human is considered an everyday occurrence. Jim Wafer uncovers the social life, rituals, folklore, and engaging personalities of the villagers of Jacari, among whom trances, sorcery, and spirit possession demonstrate the coexistence of different kinds of reality. This ethnography is intriguing not only because of the originality of its approach to the more enigmatic aspects of another culture but also because it uses insights gained from participation in that culture to reflect on the paradoxes inherent in the writer's own culture, and in the human condition in general. -- Publisher description.

Enter the fascinating world of the Condomble regions of Brazil, where interaction between spirits and human is considered an everyday occurrence. Jim Wafer uncovers the social life, rituals, folklore, and engaging personalities of the villagers of Jacari, among whom trances, sorcery, and spirit possession demonstrate the coexistence of different kinds of reality.

This ethnography is intriguing not only because of the originality of its approach to the more enigmatic aspects of another culture but also because it uses insights gained from participation in that culture to reflect on the paradoxes inherent in the writer's own culture, and in the human condition in general.

Candomble, a religion that traces its origins to West Africa, has become a major cultural force in contemporary Brazil. This ethnographic study presents the religion through the words, passions, actions and interactions of members of a small Candomble community in Salvador de Bahia. Participants Pre-text Part 1: Exu 1. The Lips of Pomba-Gira 2 Padilha’s Vow 3 Corquisa Part 2: Caboclo 4 Order and Progress 5 Of Keys 6 Villages Part 3: Orixa 7 Child Spirits 8 The Throne 9 Tempo Epilogue: Egum Postface Glossary References Index