Religion and Custom in a Muslim Society: The Berti of Sudan (Cambridge Studies in Social and Cultural Anthropology, Series Number 78) - Softcover

Holy, Ladislav

Softcover

ISBN 10: 052102496X ISBN 13: 9780521024969

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2006

Synopsis

Among the Berti of Northern Darfur (Sudan), as among many Muslim societies, the formal religious practices are predominantly the concern of men, while local, unorthodox customary rituals are performed mainly by women. It is usual to dismiss such local, popular practices as pre-Islamic survivals, but Professor Holy shows that the customary rituals constitute an integral part of the religious system of the Berti. Carefully analysing the symbolic statements made in Berti rituals, Professor Holy demonstrates that the distinction between the two classes of rituals is an expression of the gender relationships characteristic of the society. He also examines the social distribution of knowledge about Islam, and explains the role of the religious schools in sustaining religious ideas. The work is not only an ethnographic study of ritual, belief and gender in an African society. It also makes a significant contribution to current anthropological discussion of the interpretation and meaning of rituals and symbols.

About this title

Book Description

Professor Holy shows that the customary rituals and practices among the Berti of Northern Darfur (Sudan) constitute an integral part of their religious system. An ethnographic study of ritual, belief and gender in an African society, this work also makes a significant contribution to current anthropological discussion of the interpretation and meaning of rituals and symbols.

Review

'... an intriguing monograph about Berti religious and ritual life that opens up dilemmas in the presuppositions inherent in the representations of Muslim societies.' African Affairs

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 052102496X
• ISBN 13: 9780521024969
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256