Author Description

A relatively unknown shamanic culture, the Shakers of the Caribbean island of St. Vincent, is illustrated through personal profiles, stories, and color photographs. A unique blend of West African spirituality and Protestant Christianity, this culture has a strong tradition of seeking personal instruction and spiritual training that is brought forth through a ritual called "mourning." The details of this ritual are examined in this book, along with personal testimonies of visionary journeys. Accompanied by an audio CD of their ecstatic gatherings and healing encounters, this book is a vibrant expression of spiritual healing and is a unique contribution to ethnographic literature.