Hermione Harris visits BSix
BSix saw the second guest lecture in our anthropology series take place on November 1st when Hermione Harris, a research associate in the department of Anthropology at the School of Oriental and African Studies delivered a lecture about her time researching the Nigerian diaspora in London.
The Nigerian Diaspora is now world-wide, and when Yoruba travel, they take with them their religious organizations. As a member of the Cherubim and Seraphim church in London for over thirty years, anthropologist Hermione enthralled students with her explorations of a world of prayer, spirit possession, and divination through dreams and visions.
Hermione explained to the students that through their religious practice, church members enlist the Holy Spirit to defend themselves against witchcraft and evil spirits, and make a success of their lives. Although the new Nigerian 'Born Again' Pentecostals in Britain turn away from such ritual, Hermione told the students that they too are engaged in the search for spiritual power.
The Yoruba community in London was one of the largest African groups when Hermione began her fieldwork in 1969, and is now an established and significant 'ethnic minority.' Her account was based on extensive participant observation, interviews, and written records kept by the church members at her request.
Responding to questions from the students; Hermione told them how she had experienced divination herself and how she was extremely hurt by gossip about her amongst church members only to realise it was a sign she had been full accepted into the community.
Hermione held an engaging Q&A with students after her lecture where some even shared their own experiences of attending African churches in London.
BSix were delighted to welcome Hermione to the college and are very excited about welcoming her again in the future.
The next lecture in the series takes place in BSix on November 10th when Professor Jean La Fontaine returns to BSix to deliver a lecture on 'Witchcraft and Satanic Abuses".
For more information about the series please email ipower@bsix.ac.uk
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