Blackwell Reference Online

Extract

[ iii ] Found in Jamaica. The second spelling is now preferred, since the translation of Poco-Mania as ‘little madness’ does not appear apposite. Pukumina appears in the R evival continuum of Jamaican African-Caribbean cults. It is generally disapproved of by most Jamaicans. In some ways it inverts the positive values of K umina , and from the perspective of good citizens is seen to be deviant since its adherents use rum and smoke ganga/cannabis. They create disturbances, and disrupt the peace. There is little emphasis on the B ible , but much on singing and dancing. Pukumina may well use more extreme forms of healing than Kumina. Ceremonies may take place away from the villages and obeahmen (see O beah ) may be associated with it, so that members may get access to their magical power. It has a similar pantheon of spirits to Kumina and possession by these spirits is the aim of the cult. [2; 10; 67; 86] ... log in or subscribe to read full text