Abstract
The belief towards the spirit medium is one of the oldest beliefs in Chinese folk religion. This research explored spirit mediumship practices among the Chinese in Kuantan, Pahang, and interviewed 10 spirit mediums by applying interpretive phenomenological analysis. The findings indicate that the ability to interact with deities is either due to unavoidable illness, hereditary, naturally acquired, or learned. Indeed, a spirit medium may or may not convey messages to the audience or the deities from ritual performances. However, the ritual had revealed an “indispensable and official” status among mediums and worshippers. Although some expectations of this practice have faded due to modernity, it is still popular among the Chinese, especially in bonding the Chinese together as one community.
Highlights
According to cultural traditions, the local medium must vicariously experience three distinct stages of identity transition—pre-arrival, encounter and preservation—before getting certified as an eligible and trained medium
The findings indicate that the ability to interact with deities is either due to unavoidable illness, hereditary, naturally acquired, or learned
The ritual had revealed an “indispensable and official” status among mediums and worshippers. Some expectations of this practice have faded due to modernity, it is still popular among the Chinese, especially in bonding the Chinese together as one community
Summary
The local medium must vicariously experience three distinct stages of identity transition—pre-arrival, encounter and preservation—before getting certified as an eligible and trained medium. Melvin Foo Bok Yee* and Elena Chai
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
