Jamaican Revivalism

Watt Town Revival Meeting



Revivalism is divided into two groups, Zion and Pocomania. Pocomania is more African in form while Zion is more Christian oriented. These two groups have very clear differences, particularly with their functionaries and the role that they play. In Pocomania for example, the leader is always a man knows as the Shepherd while in Zion, the leader can be either a man or a woman. The Man is referred to as “Captain” while the woman is called the “Mother/Madda”. There is also a difference in their music and the form of spiritual possession.1861, which saw the incorporation of much more African retention in the movement.



A thanks giving or uplifting table with fruits, drinks, bread, candles and cakes.


Pocomania is more African in form while Zion is more Christian oriented. These two groups have very clear differences, particularly with their functionaries and the role that they play. In Pocomania for example, the leader is always a man knows as the Shepherd while in Zion, the leader can be either a man or a woman. The Man is referred to as “Captain” while the woman is called the “Mother/Madda”. There is also a difference in their music and the form of spiritual possession.

In revivalism those possessed with the spirits are generally linked with a personal spirit. In most case, if not all, it is the spirit who selects the individual and becomes personally attached as a personal guardian and adviser to the possessed. The revivalist spiritual world is categorized into three realms:
• Heavenly spirits
• Earth - bound spirits
• Ground spirits

A Madda or Lead Rest woman with her bands in Watt Town St. Ann moving around the seal.

Revival Churches can be found all over Jamaica, particularly in the deep rural areas and in the inner-city sections of the corporate area. On specific dates, towards the end of each quarter within the year, revivalists may be seen journeying to Watt Town, St. Ann. This is one of the most popular revival meeting places. At Watt Town, all aspects of the religion are usually on display: there is the church service, which entails bible reading, singing of hymns and choruses, trumping and the cymbals, dancing, spiritual possessions, healing and sometimes warning.

Below is a sample of Kumina music

***Click on the speakers and it will take you to the site where you can listen to the music***

Tracks	Artist/Performer
101 Kumina "Country" Songs	n/a
102 Kumina "Country" Songs	Kumina singers
103 Kumina "Country" Songs	Kumina singers
104 Kumina "Bailo"	Kumina singers
105 Work Songs	n/a
106 Work Songs	n/a
107 Ring Play	n/a
108 Ring Play	n/a
201 Zion "Chorus"	n/a
202 Zion "Bands Chorus" & "Blowing"	n/a
203 Zion "Bands Chorus" & "Blowing"	n/a
204 Zion "Chorus"	Three female members of the group
205 Zion "Groaning"	n/a
206 Pukkumina Prayer	n/a
207 Pukkumina "Chorus"	n/a
208 Pukkumina, 3 Cymbals	n/a
209 Pukkum