Revivalism - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

RevivalismSlide2

Revivalism

Revivalism as a cultic form started in the Caribbean specifically Jamaican in the first half of the nineteenth century (1845-about 1888). It began with a combination of three movements. The Native Baptist Movement pioneered by George Lisle and George Gibb both “so-called” missionaries from the United States of America came to Jamaica with a two fold purpose. To give support for the abolition of slavery and to ensure that the Planters/People obeyed the law they even organized slave revolts. They were very involved in the Morant Bay Rebellion. Native Black Liberation- George Lewis, a black African taken to Virginia and freed during Emancipation became a Baptist would go against his African upbringing. So he incorporated some African upbringing. So he incorporated some African approached and some European approaches. The Native Baptists (Lewis, Gibbs and Lisle) believed that John the Baptist was higher than Jesus and the Holy Spirit was higher than any other Spirits. They also believes that the Spirit is revealed in dreams and visions. Slide3

History of Revivalism in Jamaica

Emerging in the first half of the 19th century, the Revival Zion movement was greatly influenced by the Native Baptist Movement, Myalism and the Great Revival of 1860-62Slide4

Pukkumina

Pukkumina is the name given to a revivalism cult in Jamaica. It is more popularly known as “pocomania”. To its followers, this very well mean “a little

maina”or

little madness”.

Poco

could be Spanish for Little

During the slavery period in Jamaica, there had developed a number of “healing” rituals as practice by “

myal

” cults.

Pukkumina is a blend of elements of African traditional religion and Christianity. It maybe described as Afro-Christian.

Pukkumina appeals particularly to men and women in the lower socio-economic group. However, there are the upper and middle class folks who do not criticize this cult.Slide5

Pukkumina

The Spirit World Pukkumina acknowledge the Supreme Being the God who manifested him self in Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit. God has under Him several lesser spiritual beings, including angels, archangels and saints. These beings are named after persons in the Old Testament not all of whom are good spirits.

Worship

Pukkumina worship is extremely emotional in nature. Through its various activities, believers, are brought into contact with the Spirit World.Slide6

Pukkumina

Worship Ceremonies

The Leader role in worship ceremonies is played by the shepherd or ( if a woman) shepherd mother

Worshippers wear red or white turbans, the leader’s being slightly larger to indicate rank.

There are thanksgiving ceremonies at which thanks are offered to God for gifts of food

“The shepherd” has often been

refered

to as the “

obeah

-man” who practices witchcraft.Slide7

symbolism in worship

There is the symbolism of right and left, the former symbolizing good the latter evil.There is the symbolism of colour.

Similar to the ‘

vever

’ in

vaudou

worship.

Slide8

PATTERN OF WORSHIHP

There is no doubt that both Zion Revivalist and Pocomania absorbed both the Myial and Native Baptist movement. The presence of both circular and linear styles in contemporary Revival worship. The Linear style is characteristic of the preaching of the word in which interaction takes the form of transmission from priest to people. The lines passes from the alter/pulpit through the preacher to the congregation. (The preacher stands in the front of the pulpit, not behind.) The preacher being the medium through which the word of God and the Spirit is passed to man.

The contemporary Revival church is structurally different fro any other in the Christian tradition. It has a sanctuary with an alter, known as Seal; a lectern of some sort and space for the congregation. Revivalism preachers do not preach in a fixed stance- they move back and forth among the congregation but always end up facing the back of the church.Slide9

Baptism

This ritual is one of Revival’s most important rites. Those who are called by being laid low by the Spirits are never fully admitted into the church until they undergo the transforming power of baptism.From the days of Alexander Bedward, at the turn of the twentieth century to the present, Revivalism process at least once a year to a major river where they undergo immersion by their Shepherd or Captain. In Bedward’s time, the Hope River, that flows through August Town was the destination for Revival candidates all over Kingston and St Andrews who began their candlelight procession during the night. Arriving by the river as the same time as the rising sun Slide10

Spirits

Revivalists believe in the existence of many supernatural being – God the father, the Creator and ruler of the Universe never comes to service. Some adherents believe that Jesus Christ comes down to Revival but never reveals his presence by taking possession of a his presence by taking possession of a devotee. However, the Holy Spirit does attend services and “Manifests itself”on followers Among the favorite spirit of Revivalism are Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Samuel, Daniel, Solomon and Joshua; from the Old Testaments and from the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter and James.

Ache Angels: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael;

Moses, Miriam, Kaleb, David, Shadrach,

Meschach

, Abednego;

Satan and his chief assistant -

Rutibel

;

such being from herbal magical tradition as Uriel, Ariel, Seraph, Nathaniel.

Tharsis

Melshezdek

, dead Shepherd and

Shepardessess

.Slide11

Life is Sacred

Life is respected as God’s gift to His creatures, human Beings must realize that God has provided means whereby life can be sustained

Life is a Challenge

Because of the different forced which exist in the world, some of them good, some evil, the individual is bound to view life as a challenge.

Death and Immorality

The individual is believed to have a dual soul. One of these is thought of as roaming about at nights while the body is asleep. The other is more in the nature of a shadow, for which the popular term is

duppy

.

Slide12

Use of the drum

Of all the religions founded by the Africans in Jamaica, Revival is the only one that used a shoulder drum and drum stick. All the others; Bongo, Kumina and Nyabingi also used a drum stick and the base drum Slide13

Head wrapping

The Most distinguishing mark of a revivalist is his Head-Wrap or “Wrapped-Head” another name for a Revivalist. Wrap Head by any definition an African retention in spite of the notion that the East Indies were responsible for it. The first batch of East Indians was brought to Jamaica in 1845. The Kerchief is wrapped around the head altogether. This is done by Zion Revivalists whereas Pocomania cover the crown of the head completely. Slide14

Circular styles

Circular styles are characteristic of all manifestation of Spirit possession. In this setting, the Spirit takes possession immediately without a mediator leading. This place leader in the role of participant. In Zion Revivalism participants in the process of possession gather in a circular formation and move around always in a circular direction (anti-clockwise). Behind them stand the onlookers.Slide15

Spirit possession

As an altered state of consciousness possession has different levels and mode of expression. In present day Revival possession spans range of expressions- contorted faces, brisk walking, arm dancing (walk on hands) ritual stumble, collapse, loss of consciousness, shudders and speaking of unknown languages. All these expressions usually go well with wheeling. The duration of Spirit possession varies. In the feasting ritual known as “the Table” possession can last for hours and is usually associated with laboring.If the person is being possession for the first time no effort is made to interfere with the working of the Spirit. Such possession is a sign of being chosen by a Spirit that now becomes ones familiar. When an already possession individual is repossessed in this manner attendants will pick him up and begin to labor with him in a circular formation until he becomes himself once more Slide16

The Great revival

During 1860 to 1861 Jamaica experienced a religious revival. Consequently congregation increased rapidly as did the demand of for prayer meetings. The Movement was stimulated by the Baptist and other non-conformist church. The Revivals soon adopted Africans retentions and influencesof Myalism. Myalism includes succumbing to trances, dreams, prophesying, spirit seizures and uninhabited dancing. It was reported that the new convert was usually struck prostrate in the church on the church floor during these meeting. The practices irritated the missionaries who later distanced themselves from the movement. During this period Revivalism became a permanent addition to the Jamaican religious landscape

The third and most important factor leading up to the birth of Revivalism was the Great Revival. It began in October 1860 among Moravians in the South Western part of the island. It was a direct off-shoot of the Great Religious in 1857 in the United States. The period was characterized by intense preaching and group which was remarkably effective in gaining an immediate response and stirring Evangelists to spread the faith

Persons Involved

Dwight L. Moody

- Emerging as a famous evangelist.

- choir leader and hymn writer.