Opal

About Opal

This author has not yet filled in any details.
So far Opal has created 3 blog entries.
16 May, 2009

The Myalist – Opal Palmer Adisa

2009-05-16T19:00:54-07:00By |Categories: CounterPULSE, Performing Diaspora|Tags: , , |

While most know of Obeah in Jamaica, few know its counterpoint, Myal. An Entry in Jamaica Talk: Three Hundred years of the English Language in Jamaica by Frederic G. Cassidy ( MacMillian Caribbean, 1961), we get one notation: "Obeah, the Jamaican form of sorcery or `black magic', [sic] was once counterbalanced by myal, or `white magic' a healing cult.  Obeah employed its power against people; myal claimed to counter those powers."  P. 241 Another entry in the same above text,

29 Jun, 2009

The Myal Healer

2009-06-29T16:24:58-07:00By |Categories: CounterPULSE, Images, Opal Palmer Adisa, Performing Diaspora|Tags: , , , , |

I was in Jamaica a few weeks ago interviewing both academics and healers who are in some way affiliated with Myal or the practice of healing. I also spent time at the African -Caribbean library there pouring over and through literature on Myal and  its evolution. I made several discoveries, and was able to photograph some of the basic herbs used in the practice. Tony, a RASTA Brethren, connection to the land and ancestry is undeniable.   Tony is a

14 Sep, 2009

Place, Setting and The Beginning

2009-09-14T01:31:09-07:00By |Categories: CounterPULSE, Opal Palmer Adisa, Performing Diaspora|Tags: , |

Myal, like many African based religion is tied intricately to place, location -- the setting and its surrounding fauna/flora play an important role. Myal was initially believed to simple mean "spirit." The first known recorded observation of a Myal ceremony was in 1774 by Edward Long, who documented the performance of a Myal dance intended to persuade slaves that they would be invulnerable to the bullets of the white man. It was said they were told by the Myal leader

Go to Top