Una liturgia controllata: Riti brahmanici e possessione in Himachal Pradesh

29 p., ISSN 1125-3762International audienceA controlled liturgy. Brahmanical rites and possession in Himachal PradeshUne liturgie contrôlée. Rites brahmaniques et possession en Himachal Pradesh. In Himachal Pradesh each village temple has an oracle incarnating the main deity. During séances of possession, he is consulted to solve individual or collective problems. If sometimes his role can be seen as alternative to that of the "purohit", in certain contexts the two officiants participate in the same ritual. In all such cases, the oracle, speaking on behalf of the deity he incarnates, has to say the last word about the "purohit"'s work. This sort of control upon brahmanical rites has to be understood in relation with the devotional attitude which characterizes both the ceremonies officiated by "purohit" and the séances of possession during which the oracle is consulted