What are the beliefs and practices of kumina?

Kumina is a Jamaican spiritual practice that blends African traditions, particularly those from the Congo and West Africa, with elements of Christianity. It involves ancestral worship, spirit possession, and communal rituals, often featuring drumming, dancing, and singing to invoke spirits. Practitioners believe in the presence of ancestral spirits, who guide and protect the living, and ceremonies are typically held to celebrate life events or to seek guidance. The practices emphasize community, healing, and the continuity of cultural identity.