A WORLD HISTORY OF HORROR

POSSESSION
 Previous classes

1. Demons and Demonic Forces

 Previous classes

1. Demons and Demonic Forces

2. Ghosts, Spirits and Communication with
the Dead
Today
1. Possession and Exorcism
What do you know about
“possession” and
“exorcism”?
Today
1. Possession and Exorcism
2. Ancient and Present Possessions
EXORCISM/POSSESSION
IN
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
 EXORCISM/POSSESSION
IN
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Any one who exorcises or professes to exorcise demons; in particular, one ordained by a bishop
for the office

Catholic Encyclopedia. “Exorcism”

 EXORCISM/POSSESSION
IN
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

In Christian countries authentic cases of possession sometimes occur and every priest,
especially if he be a parish priest or pastor, is liable to be called upon to perform his duty as exorcist.

Catholic Encyclopedia. “Exorcism”

 EXORCISM/POSSESSION
IN
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

In doing so, he is to be mindful of the prescriptions of the Roman Ritual and of the laws
of provincial or diocesan synods, which for most part require that the bishop should be consulted
and his authorization obtained before exorcism is attempted

Catholic Encyclopedia. “Exorcism”

 EXORCISM/POSSESSION
IN
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Possession is not lightly to be taken for granted. Each case is to be carefully examined and great
caution to be used in distinguishing genuine possession from certain forms of disease.

Catholic Encyclopedia. “Exorcism”

 EXORCISM/POSSESSION
IN
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
The priest who undertakes the office should be himself a holy man, of a blameless life, intelligent,
courageous, humble, and he should prepare for the work by special acts of devotion
and mortification, particularly by prayer and a fasting (Matthew 17:20).

Catholic Encyclopedia. “Exorcism”

 EXORCISM/POSSESSION
IN
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
He should avoid in the a course of the rite everything that savours of superstition, and should leave
the medical aspects of the case to qualified physicians.

Catholic Encyclopedia. “Exorcism”

 EXORCISM/POSSESSION
IN
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

All idle and curious questioning of the demon should be avoided, and the prayers and aspirations
should be read with great faith, humility, and fervour, and with a consciousness of power and authority.

Catholic Encyclopedia. “Exorcism”

 EXORCISM/POSSESSION
IN
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
If expulsion of the evil spirit is not obtained at once, the rite should be repeated, if need be, several times. The
exorcist should be vested in surplice, and violet stole.

Catholic Encyclopedia. “Exorcism”

 EXORCISM/POSSESSION
IN
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

1. It really happens
 EXORCISM/POSSESSION
IN
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

1. It really happens
2. Demons (Evil demons)
 EXORCISM/POSSESSION
IN
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

1. It really happens
2. Demons (Evil demons)
3. Roman Ritual/Laws/Synods/Authority of the bishop
 EXORCISM/POSSESSION
IN
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

1. It really happens
2. Demons (Evil demons)
3. Roman Ritual/Laws/Synods/Authority of the bishop
4. Must be examined carefully – Genuine possession (and not certain forms of disease)
 EXORCISM/POSSESSION
IN
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

1. It really happens
2. Demons (Evil demons)
3. Roman Ritual/Laws/Synods/Authority of the bishop
4. Must be examined carefully – Genuine possession (and not certain forms of disease)
5. Avoid Superstition – Medical Aspects
What kind of demon is the
protagonist of this movie?
Anything familiar from
other demons we talk
about in class?
How did the demon got to
this house and this girl?
This guy
Where did he live
before?
Around here
PAZUZU
 POSSESSION
IN ANCIENT EGYPT AND MESOPOTAMIA

LAMASHTU

PAZUZU LAMASHTU
 NYMPHOLEPSY
(ANCIENT GREECE)
NYMPHS
 NYMPHS

MUSES
 NYMPHS

MUSES

OTHER DEMONS OR
INTERMEDIARY DIVINITIES
 NYMPHS

MUSES

OTHER DEMONS

GODS
SACRED PROSTITUTION

BABYLON
 SACRED PROSTITUTION

BABYLON

SUMER
 SACRED PROSTITUTION

BABYLON

SUMER

CRETE
POSSESSION - RELIGION
 EXORCISM/POSSESSION
IN
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

1. It really happens
2. Demons (Evil demons)
3. Roman Ritual/Laws/Synods/Authority of the bishop
4. Must be examined carefully – Genuine possession
5. Avoid Superstition – Medical Aspects
 ISRAEL

SACRED PROSTITUTION
 ISRAEL

PROPHECY
EXORCISM/POSSESSION
IN
CHRISTIANITY
EXORCISM/POSSESSION
IN
CHRISTIANITY
EXORCISM/POSSESSION
IN
CHRISTIANITY
"IT HAS ALSO BEEN COMMANDED THAT THE HEAD SHOULD BE VEILED AND THE FACE COVERED, FOR IT IS A
WICKED THING FOR BEAUTY TO BE A SNARE TO MEN. NOR IS IT APPROPRIATE FOR A WOMAN TO DESIRE TO
MAKE HERSELF CONSPICUOUS BY USING A PURPLE VEIL.”

CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA
"THERE ARE ANGELS IN THE MIDST OF OUR ASSEMBLY … WE HAVE HERE A TWOFOLD CHURCH, ONE OF MEN,
THE OTHER OF ANGELS … AND SINCE THERE ARE ANGELS PRESENT … WOMEN, WHEN THEY PRAY, ARE
ORDERED TO HAVE A COVERING UPON THEIR HEADS BECAUSE OF THOSE ANGELS. THEY ASSIST THE SAINTS
AND REJOICE IN THE CHURCH.”

ORIGIN OF ALEXANDRIA
"THERE ARE ANGELS IN THE MIDST OF OUR ASSEMBLY … WE HAVE HERE A TWOFOLD CHURCH, ONE OF MEN,
THE OTHER OF ANGELS … AND SINCE THERE ARE ANGELS PRESENT … WOMEN, WHEN THEY PRAY, ARE
ORDERED TO HAVE A COVERING UPON THEIR HEADS BECAUSE OF THOSE ANGELS. THEY ASSIST THE SAINTS
AND REJOICE IN THE CHURCH.”

ORIGIN OF ALEXANDRIA
POSSESSION IN WORLD RELIGIONS
 CENTRAL AFRICA

GURAGE PEOPLE (ETHIOPIA)

SIDAMA PEOPLE (ETHIOPIA)
 EAST AFRICA

ACTIVE EXTINCT

DIGO PEOPLE (KENYA) MOZAMBIQUE

GIRIAMA PEOPLE (KENYA) UGANDA

SUKUMA PEOPLE (TANZANIA) ZANZIBAR

SOUTH AFRICA

XESIBE
WEST AFRICA

HAUSA PEOPLE -- HAUSA ANIMISM (NIGERIA, NIGER,

IVORY COAST, BENIN, CAMERON, SUDAN, CHAD,
GHANA, ERITREA, TOGO, CONGO, GABON, ALGERIA,
BURKINA FASO)

YORUBA - NIGERIA
CANDOMBLÉ AND YORUBA TRADITION
 DIASPORIC AFRICA

HAITIAN VODOU (HAITI)

UBANDA AND CANDOMBLÉ (BRAZIL)

SANTERÍA (CUBA)

LUCUMÍ (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)

 CANDOMBLÉ AND YORUBA TRADITION

Afro-Brazilian religious tradition, loosely based on Yoruba faith from

the West Coast of Africa (Nigeria, Benin, Togo), syncretized to a modest
extent with Roman Catholicism
Involves trance-like ritual-possession, folk healing, ancestor-
worship, divining, and worship of a pantheon of saints called
Orixas
Persecuted as witchcraft until 1930s, when it became
popularized and somewhat institutionalized as official Afro-
Brazilian tradition
Obatala
Supreme Deity
Lemanjá
Goddess of the Sea
Mother Goddess
Loving Mother of Mankind
Eshu Eleggba
Messenger
Fertility
Trickster
Oxun
Goddess of the rivers
Love
Lover of Xangó
Ecstasy and Possession in
Candomblé
Omulo - Trance Ceremony
Possession and Music
Possession and Music
Possession and Music
Possession and Music
1. Importance of improvisation
1. Importance of improvisation
2. Call and Response structures
1. Importance of improvisation
2. Call and Response structures
3. Rhythmic and Polyrhythmic
orientation)
 1. Importance of improvisation
2. Call and Response structures
3. Rhythmic and Polyrhythmic
orientation)
4. African vocal and instrumental
phrasing
 1. Importance of improvisation
2. Call and Response structures
3. Rhythmic and Polyrhythmic
orientation)
4. African vocal and instrumental
phrasing
5. Audience participation and close
connection between music and dance
“The word ritual seems more appropriate
than performance when the audience is
committed rather than appreciative”.
Charles Keil. Urban Blues