Ambient Sufism: Ritual Niches and the Social Work of Musical Form

Ambient Sufism explores the intertwined musical lives of ritual communities in Tunisia, highlighting the role of women and minorities in shaping the region's musical landscape. It uses the term "ambient Sufism" to illuminate these adjacent ritual practices, each serving as a musical, social, and devotional-therapeutic niche. Ritual musical form has agency and encourages particular subjectivities, offering valuable insights into ethnomusicology, anthropology, Islamic and religious studies, and North African studies.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 272 pages
\n Publication date: 01 February 2021
\n Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
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Ambient Sufism delves into the captivating world of the intertwined musical lives of various ritual communities in Tunisia. These communities harness the healing powers of long-deceased Muslim saints through music-driven trance rituals, creating a profound tapestry of sound and spirituality. Richard C. Jankowsky, in his illuminating work, sheds light on the largely undocumented role of women and minorities in shaping the ritual musical landscape of the region. Through detailed case studies, he explores the rich tapestry of mens and womens Sufi orders, Jewish and black Tunisian healing musical troupes, as well as the popular music of hard-drinking laborers. Moreover, he delves into the cohorts involved in mass-mediated staged spectacles of ritual, which continue to infuse ritual sounds into the public sphere. By employing the term "ambient Sufism," Jankowsky highlights these adjacent ritual practices, each serving as a unique musical, social, and devotional-therapeutic niche, while contributing to a larger, interconnected ecology of practices surrounding and invoking the figures of saints.

What sets this study apart is Jankowsky's argument that ritual musical form possesses agency. He posits that form is not just a passive container but actively shapes and reveals experiences, fostering particular subjectivities. This perspective offers valuable insights into ethnomusicology, anthropology, Islamic and religious studies, and North African studies. Ambient Sufism presents a rich tapestry of ideas that can deepen our understanding of the complex interplay between music, ritual, and cultural identity. It encourages us to explore the ways in which music can transcend boundaries, bridge differences, and foster a sense of unity and belonging.

In conclusion, Ambient Sufism is a groundbreaking work that sheds light on the hidden dimensions of musical practice in Tunisia. Through meticulous research and thoughtful analysis, Jankowsky unveils the profound role of women, minorities, and popular music in shaping the ritual musical landscape of the region. His insights into the agency of ritual musical form offer valuable perspectives for scholars and enthusiasts alike, contributing to our understanding of the rich and diverse tapestry of world music.

\n Weight: 404g\n
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 18 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780226723471\n \n