Peace Is Everything: The World View of Muslims and Traditionalists in the Senegambia (Publications in Ethnography, vol. 28)

The World View of Muslim and Traditionalist in the Senegambia subregion are studied. A world-view approach is followed, based on an eight-level model that is developed in the book. The result is a comprehensive view of the religious practices being followed and a broad understanding of the integrated conceptual system on which they are based. The belief systems of most Muslim societies are expressed through a complex mixture of orthodox and nonorthodox practices. Studies of these systems have usually focused on either orthodox or mystical Islam or on folk beliefs and practices and have not attempted to look at the complete range of beliefs and practices present in one society, as does this volume. Senegambia world view focuses on transcendent peace which is seen to be the pervasive, dominant theme of the culture. It is experienced by individuals when they and society are in balance with cosmic beings and forces, with social units, and with nature. The author, David E. Maranz, received his Ph.D. in Islamic studies in 1991 and has concentrated on the study of Muslim cultures of sub-Saharan Africa since 1975.