Towards a Theory of Spirit Possession in Postcolonial Fictions

Should depth psychology supplant aspects of tradition in readings of fragmented selves in African Literatures? Are other selves in pathological characters mere mishaps in memories or persons with ability to substitute the primary self? This book contends that fragmented selves in characters in stream of consciousness writing in Africa are representations of the spirit possession trope. The book adopts postulations of reputable scholars such as John Mbiti, Emma Cohen and Janice Boddy to examine spirit possession in selected works of African literature and Africanised churches with the aim of proposing it as a viable trope for the analysis of postcolonial literatures. While most literary criticism focuses on literary texts, this book extends the analysis to cases of exorcism in Africanized Pentecostal churches. This comparative reading attests to the major differences between depth psychology and spirit possession tropes in the analysis of stream of consciousness literatures. It is evident that spirit possession in the African context is not merely a pathological condition, but a desirable state that enables prophetic abilities, genius, success and beauty.