The Seen and the Unseen: Shamanism, Mediumship and Possession in Borneo

$20.00

Robert L. Winzeler, Editor

This second monograph deals with spirituality – with its psychological roots, its symbolic elaboration and performance. Traditions of shamanism, mediumship, and possession in Borneo are rich, complex, and diverse. The essays, which compromise this volume, document and analyze a much wider range of ethnographic instances than has previously been assembled. Together they show both the enduring vitality of Bornean spirituality as practice, belief, and role and the evolving development of these in the present world.

Hardback

ISBN 0-9629568-1-3

1993

Discounted shipping rates for large orders are possible if an order is placed via email at brc@borneoresearchcouncil.org.

Robert L. Winzeler, Editor

This second monograph deals with spirituality – with its psychological roots, its symbolic elaboration and performance. Traditions of shamanism, mediumship, and possession in Borneo are rich, complex, and diverse. The essays, which compromise this volume, document and analyze a much wider range of ethnographic instances than has previously been assembled. Together they show both the enduring vitality of Bornean spirituality as practice, belief, and role and the evolving development of these in the present world.

Hardback

ISBN 0-9629568-1-3

1993

Discounted shipping rates for large orders are possible if an order is placed via email at brc@borneoresearchcouncil.org.

About the Editor

The editor, Robert L. Winzler, Ph.D. (University of Chicago, Anthropology) is a Professor of Anthropology, the University of Nevada, Reno.  He has done fieldwork in Kelantan, in peninsular Malaysia, as well as in Sarawak, on various topics and is the author of a forthcoming book on latah in Malaya, Borneo Java.

Table of Contents

  • Preface - Vincent H. Sutlive, Jr.

  • Introduction: Shaman, Priest, and Spirit Medium: Religious Specialists, Tradition and Innovation in Borneo - Robert L. Winzeler

PART ONE

  • To Converse With the Gods: Rungus Spirit Mediums - George N. Appell and Laura W. R. Appell

  • To Do Battle With the Spirits: Bulusu' Spirit Mediums - Laura W. R. Appell and George N. Appell

  • Shamanism Among the Oya Melanau - H. S. Morris

  • From Shamans to Priests: Towards the Professionalization of Religious Specialist Among the Kayan - Jêrôme Rousseau

  • Canoes for the Spirits: Two Types of Spirit Mediumship in Central Kalimantan - Sian E. Jay

PART TWO

  • The Shaman's Destiny: Symptoms, Affliction, and the Re-interpretation of Illness Among the Taman - Jay Bernstein

  • Spirit Possession as Exculpation: The Chinese of Sarawak - Richard C. Fidler

PART THREE

  • Performance, Effectiveness and the Iban Manang - Robert J. Barrett

  • Shaman and Fool: Representation of the Shaman in Iban Comic Fables - Clifford Sather

Notes on Contributors