A multi-method study of psi and psi-related processes in the umbanda ritual trance consultation
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Authors
Giesler, Patric
Issue Date
1983
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
PSI , Trance , Shamanism and PSI
Alternative Title
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis project was twofold: (a) to develop a multimethod approach to the study of psi or psi-functioning in the field setting; and (b) to both describe the psi-related beliefs and ritual pactices of the Afro-Brazilian Umbanda Cult, and to investigate the acclaimed psychic abilities of the cult's shamans inside and outside of their ritual contexts. An extensive methodological discussion and an introduction to the Afro-Brazilian ecstatic religions precedes a description of a free-response ESP experiment conducted to test some hypotheses and explore others regarding psi-functioning in the Umbanda Cult. Following the experimental report is a presentation of the ethnographic data and their relationship to ostensible psi-functioning in the cult, and particularly in the divination consultation practice.