'Pre-Islamic Survivals' in Muslim Central Asia: Tsarist, Soviet and Post-Soviet Ethnography in World Historical Perspective

The book explores the origins of the conceptual lens of historical-cultural 'survivals' in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions, as well as later secularized forms in the German Enlightenment and Romanticist movements. It discusses how these sources shaped Tsarist and later Soviet ethnography of Muslim Central Asia, influencing their religious missionary, social-legal, political, and other imperial agendas. The volume also contributes to scholarship on 'syncretism and 'conversion, definitions of Islam, history as identity and heritage, and more, situated within a broader global historical frame.

Format: Hardback
Length: 405 pages
Publication date: 01 May 2023
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

The book delves into the intricate tapestry of historical-cultural 'survivals, tracing their origins back to Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions, as well as later secularized forms in the German Enlightenment and Romanticist movements. It engages in a lively debate with monotheistic 'degenerationists' and Protestant anti-Catholic polemicists, challenging their perspectives on the evolution of cultures. These historical sources, particularly the 'dual faith tradition' of Russian Orthodoxy, played a significant role in shaping the ethnography of Muslim Central Asia during the Tsarist and Soviet eras. They provided guidance and justification for the religious, social, legal, and political agendas of these empires. The impact of these sources extends to post-Soviet historiography, where they continue to be a subject of complex and debated discussions.

Drawing from a wide range of sources, including European, Central Asian, Middle Eastern, and global history, the fields of ethnography, anthropology, Christian and Islamic studies, and more, come together in this comprehensive volume. It contributes to scholarship on various topics such as 'syncretism' and 'conversion,' explores definitions of Islam, examines the history as identity and heritage, and delves into other relevant subjects. Situated within a broader global historical context, the book addresses debates surrounding 'pre-Islamic survivals' among diverse Muslim populations, including Turkish, Iranian, Egyptian, North African Berber, Black African, and South Asian Muslims. It also critically examines the legacy of the 'cultural turn' in Western post-colonialist scholarship, highlighting its impact on diverging trends in historiography in the post-World War Two era.

The book's rich and detailed analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between historical, cultural, and religious factors that have shaped the world we know today. It sheds light on the enduring legacies of historical survivals and their impact on the development of societies and cultures. Whether one is interested in history, anthropology, religion, or cultural studies, this book offers valuable insights and perspectives that will enrich one's understanding of the past and the present.

Weight: 683g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811956966
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023