The Power and Influence of the Obeah Man and Folk Healing in Jamaican Culture :: essays papers

The Power and Influence of the Obeah Man and house Healing in Jamaican CultureRhetoric of Reggae Term newspaper publisherIts late in the 17h century and the Europeans are craving more bread for their English tea and French coffee. Several islands are discovered in the Caribbean, which appear to have a sugar surplus as rise up as low occupancy. Now there was tons of sugar solely no one to cut down the plants except for Africans rounded up and squeezed into a ship headed towards their new home. Standing shoulder to shoulder with a great deal no room to breathe, the slaves were hardly thinking just about the new diseases they were about to encounter let alone the melodious instruments left at home. The lonesome(prenominal) discussions aboard the ship were most likely limited to shouts of defiance or lamentations to gods or ancestors. Once arrived, the Africans strived to rebuild the culture, music, and religion that had been stripped from their lives. Making instruments m uch(prenominal) as drums and fifes, there was a feeling that the drumming and dancing would name a feeling of pride and hope in what seemed to be pessimistic times. music became a form of revolt from the hardship and plantation owners did non want to be bothered with the thought of rebellion and therefore tabu the drum as well as allowing slaves to meet others from another plantation. Music wasnt the only revolt heal practices that coincided with religious practices were also a part of this r growth. This revolution was to retain their African heritage without fully conformist to their white masters ideals.Funerals fifty-fiftytually became the only time at which slaves could meet, which was denounce due to the harsh environment. These funerals were rituals, which involved music, especially drumming. However, funerals werent the only musical outlets allowed, other kin group religious ceremonies were also practiced. The Myal cult was the first of these folk religions sh ortly followed by Kumina, Pukumina, Convince, and Zion Revivalist. Each of these folk religions plays a role in the belief systems of Jamaicans and has also played a role in the evolution of early reggae music. Rather than poreing on the religions separately and wholly, I focus on one common characteristic that still exists today in Jamaica as well as all over the West Indies and even in various spots in the southern United States- healing practices and the practitioners.