Trance and Modernity in the Southern Caribbean - (New World Diasporas) by Keith E McNeal (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"Provides us with a masterful account of how socially marginalized segments of the African and Indian communities of Trinidad and Tobago developed trance-based religious cults linked with differing cultural heritages. Penetrating deeply into these two different communities with his careful fieldwork, he then places them within a brilliant account of the overall cultural history of this island nation."--Paul Younger, author of "New Homelands: Hindu Communities in Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad, South Africa, Fiji, and East Africa"

Review Quotes

"[McNeal's] field work and findings are crucial to understanding how the marginalised and the working-class in this country seek solace and relief in the divine, and should be studied closely by local scholars and politicians alike."--The Trinidadian Guardian


"A profound psychological analysis of trance as well as a sociological analysis of the nature of these so-called trance religions in Trinidad and Tobago."--Nova Religio: The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions


"Drawing on a range of research from many disciplines, McNeal offers a rich library resource and must read for scholars studying Caribbean religions."--Choice


"McNeal's richly detailed and always sympathetic study should help us to see how complex and fascinating our cultural and religious scene really is."--Trinidad Express Newspaper

"This fine comparative ethnography serves both as a close empirical description of what is happening 'on the ground' in Trinidad and Tobago and as a productive analytical exercise on contrasting politicizations of religions in relation to political campaigns, law, and institution building."--New West Indian Guide

About the Author

Keith E. McNeal is associate professor of anthropology in the department of comparative cultural studies at the University of Houston.