Everyday Shi'ism in South Asia

Everyday Shi ism in South Asia is the first textbook to focus on the history of lived Shi ism in South Asia, focusing on the religious worlds of both individuals and communities at particular historical moments and places. It explores Shii religious practice and the relationship between religious normativity and everyday religious life and material culture, contextualizes Muharram rituals, public performances, festivals, vow-making, and material objects and practices, and draws from author's studies and fieldwork throughout India and Pakistan.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 25 March 2021
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

The first comprehensive textbook to delve into the rich history of lived Shi'ism in South Asia, "Everyday Shi'ism in South Asia" offers a captivating introduction to the daily lives and cultural memories of Shii women and men. It specifically focuses on the religious worlds of both individuals and communities at various historical moments and places within the Indian subcontinent. Author Karen Ruffle employs a diverse range of primary sources, images, and ethnographic data to present engaging case studies that provide broad snapshots of Shi'i life, as well as detailed examinations of ritual practices, material objects, architectural and artistic forms, and more.

By exclusively concentrating on South Asian Shi'ism, an area that has largely been overlooked by contemporary scholars who tend to focus on the Arab lands of Iran and Iraq, the author challenges readers to shift their analytical gaze from the heart of Islam to its periphery. Ruffle offers fresh perspectives on the intricate ways in which Shi'ism intersects with South Asian religious culture, history, and the broader Islamic humanistic tradition. This unique resource is written with an academic audience in mind, yet it remains accessible to general readers interested in exploring this fascinating subject matter.

Through its comprehensive exploration, "Everyday Shi'ism in South Asia" sheds light on Shi'i religious practice and the intricate relationship between religious normativity and everyday religious life, as well as material culture. It contextualizes Muharram rituals, public performances, festivals, vow-making, and various material objects and practices associated with Shi'ism in South Asia. Drawing from the author's extensive studies and fieldwork across India and Pakistan, the book features numerous captivating color photographs that vividly depict the rich tapestry of Shi'i religious symbols, cultural values, and social systems.

By placing Shi'i religious symbols, cultural values, and social systems within historical context, the book offers valuable insights into the evolution and development of Shi'ism in South Asia. It also includes an extensive survey of scholarship on South Asian Shiism, spanning from the seventeenth century to the present. This comprehensive resource serves as a valuable tool for scholars and students in disciplines such as Islamic Studies, History, Anthropology, and Religious Studies, providing a comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of this significant religious tradition.

Weight: 542g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781119357148