Of Beliefs and Beyond: Influence of Obeah and Myal in the Slave Rebellion in Marlon James’ Novel the Book of Night Women

Religion and its practices have often been causes o f conflict and have led to the division of humanity into narrow restrictive boundaries. Religion, in most cases doe s not seek to empower but to restrict those practis ing it, from exercising their natural freedom. However in Marlon James’ novel The Book of Night Women Obeah and Myal help the slave women not only to withstand oppression and give them the cour age to seek revenge, but it also acts as a force th at unites the slaves to join the revolt. The women call upon their religious bel iefs and practices to not only aid and abet them bu t also to give them the courage of conviction to do the undoable. This pape r s eks to take a closer look at the two Afro-Creol e religionsObeah and Myal in terms of both their place in history, as co nstructors of Jamaican cultural practises, and thei r contribution to slave rebellions in general and the rebellion of “the nig ht women” in particular.