Living in Refuge: Ritualization and Religiosity in a Christian and a Muslim Palestinian Refugee Camp in Lebanon

This comparative ethnography of a Muslim and a Christian Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon examines social belonging processes through a ritualization approach, highlighting contrasts arising from religiosity, nationhood, refugeeness, and politics. It contributes to the literature on refugees and Palestinian refugees, offering a detailed socio-historical portrait of two camps with limited recorded literature.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2022
Publisher: Transcript Verlag

This comparative ethnography delves into the intricate dynamics of social belonging among Muslim and Christian Palestinian refugees residing in Lebanon, employing a ritualization approach. Leonardo Schiocchet, in his insightful analysis, posits that contrasts arise from the complex interplay of religiosity, nationhood, refugeeness, and politics. By synthesizing academic research on piety and moral self-cultivation, as well as the daily lives of religious communities, Schiocchet offers a novel perspective on refugees, particularly Palestinian refugees. His contribution to the literature on refugees is significant, as he presents a detailed and rich socio-historical portrait of two refugee camps, which have largely been overlooked in recorded literature.

The study explores the diverse experiences of social belonging among the two refugee camps, shedding light on the complex interplay of cultural, religious, and political factors that shape their identities. It examines the ways in which religious practices, rituals, and symbols contribute to the construction of collective identities and the preservation of cultural heritage. The ethnography also highlights the challenges faced by refugees in negotiating their social positions within the camp and the broader Lebanese society.

Through its detailed examination of social belonging processes, this comparative ethnography provides valuable insights into the experiences of Muslim and Christian Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. It contributes to our understanding of the complexities of refugeehood and the role of religion in shaping social identities. The study underscores the importance of recognizing and respecting the diverse perspectives and experiences of refugees and advocating for policies that promote their well-being and integration into host communities.

Dimension: 23 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783837660746