Manifestation Module — Sacred Agent Modes
Manifestation modes and media: possession, dream, divination, symbolic presence
Governance Layer module. Vocabulary for modeling how sacred agents are asserted to manifest — through embodied presence, possession, dream, divination, symbolic representation, territorial claim, or auditory sign. Plugs into iroko:ManifestationEvent and supports iroko:TemporalVariation where manifestation modes shift by ritual calendar or initiation cycle. These are descriptive, not metaphysical — they record what a tradition asserts in its own terms. Composes with iroko-narrative for temporal regime documentation and iroko-authority for assertion authorization.
A SKOS concept describing how a sacred agent is asserted to manifest. Modes include embodied, possession, dream, divination, symbolic, territorial, auditory, and unknown. These categories are descriptive and tradition-reported; they record what a community asserts, not what an archive adjudicates. A single ManifestationEvent may reference multiple modes. Modes may vary by temporal regime — use iroko:TemporalVariation to document seasonal or initiatory shifts.
A medium through which manifestation is asserted to occur — a person, object, place, text, or instrument. A Medium is the vehicle, not the agent; the sacred agent is modeled in iroko-nkisi or iroko-agency. One ManifestationEvent may involve multiple media.
A SKOS concept categorizing the kind of medium involved in a manifestation assertion: person, object, place, text, instrument, or unknown.
| Property | Type | Domain → Range | Access | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hasManifestationMode has manifestation mode |
Object | ManifestationEvent → Manifestation Mode | Public | Associates a ManifestationEvent or assertion node with a ManifestationMode concept from iroko:ManifestationModeScheme. Multiple modes may be asserted for a single event. |
| hasMediumType has medium type |
Object | Medium → Medium Type | Public | Associates a Medium with a MediumType concept from iroko:MediumTypeScheme. |
| manifestsThroughMedium manifests through medium |
Object | ManifestationEvent → Medium | Community Only | Associates a ManifestationEvent with a Medium through which manifestation is asserted to occur. The identity of the medium (e.g., a specific person) may carry its own access level if the medium is a community member. |
Controlled terms for how sacred agents are asserted to manifest. Tradition-reported descriptive categories. Multiple modes may apply to a single event.
Manifestation asserted to occur through sound, voice, drumming, or hearing — including traditions where specific rhythms summon or identify a spirit.
Manifestation asserted to occur through divination, oracle, or the interpretive reading of divinatory instruments.
Manifestation asserted to occur through dreams, dream visitation, or hypnagogic contact.
Manifestation asserted to occur in a physically embodied form distinct from possession — the agent is present as a body, not occupying another's.
Manifestation asserted to occur through mounting or possession of a medium person. The agent speaks and acts through the medium during the event.
Distinguish from embodied: possession involves a medium person who is temporarily occupied; embodied involves a distinct physical presence.
Manifestation asserted to occur through symbols, signs, graphic marks, or indirect representation. Vèvè, firmas, and anaforuana are common vehicles.
Manifestation asserted to be bound to or expressed through a place, crossroads, body of water, forest, or territory.
Manifestation mode not recorded or not known.
Controlled terms for the kind of medium through which manifestation is asserted to occur.
A musical, divinatory, or ritual instrument serves as the medium — a consecrated bàtá drum, divining chain, or bell.
A material object serves as the medium — a consecrated vessel, nganga, otán, or ritual artifact.
A human person serves as the medium, as in possession or mounted manifestation.
A place, site, crossroads, or territory serves as the medium.
A text, inscription, vèvè, firma, or graphic document serves as the medium.
Medium type not recorded or not known.