Kumina is a branch of the Myal religion, dance and music form. Kumina has practices that include secular ceremonies, dance and music that developed from the beliefs and traditions brought to the island by Kongo people enslaved people and indentured labourers, from the Congo Basin of West Central Africa, during the post-emancipation era.
The Myal Dance of Kumina also gives its name to a drumming style, developed from the music that accompanied the spiritual ceremonies, that evolved in urban Kingston. Like all Myal drumming styles Kumina has a great influence on Rastafari music, especially the Nyabinghi drums, and Jamaican popular music. Count Ossie was a notable pioneer of the drumming style in popular music and it continues to have a significant influence on contemporary genres such as reggae and dancehall.
The Kumina riddim is a dancehall riddim produced by Sly & Robbie in 2002. It has featured in recordings of over 20 artists including Chaka Demus & Pliers and Tanya Stephens.
Definition
Kumina is a branch of the
Myal Religion and is not the same as Pukkumina or Pocomania.
History
Kumina emerged through the practices of indentured labourers who were brought to Jamaica from the Kongo region of central Africa after the abolition of slavery.
Kumina as a branch of the
Myal religion differed from Zion Revivalism in rejecting the belief that the
Bible should be the central authority behind worship.
Beliefs and practices
The practices of Kumina in the
Myal Religion are primarily linked to healing. Healing ceremonies utilise singing, dancing, drumming, animal sacrifice, and spirit possession, with the intent of summoning spirits to heal the sick individual. These elements are also found in Revivalism.
Organization
Within the Kumina branch of the
Myal Religion there are sub-branches or sub-communities which follows the general local character of pre-Christian religions in Jamaica. These communities are small family based communities or nations. Some nations include
Mondongo,
Moyenge,
Machunde,
Kongo,
Igbo, and
Yoruba. People from Kumina families are given the title
Bongo. Marrying into a Bongo family is one avenue to become a part of a Kumina nation; special initiation is the other avenue. Kumina nations are led by a "King" and "Queen". Imogene "Queenie" Kennedy AKA Queenie III (c1920-1998) was a well-known Kumina Queen in the 20th century, born in St Thomas in the late 1920s she later moved to Kingston and then Waterloo, St Catherine.
Influence on Rastafari
The use of cannabis or ganja in Kumina
Myal ceremonies influenced the adoption of this plant as a
sacrament in
Rastafari a and is a direct influence of the sacramental use in Kumina
Myal ceremonies.
Citations
Sources
External links
