Religion, Attire, and Adornment in North America

Clothing, dress, and ornamentation play a significant role in religious life and practice, and this book explores their roles in creating and communicating religious meaning, identity, and community. Contributors investigate aspects of religious dress in North America across different centuries and traditions, using four frameworks for understanding the material culture of religion. The collection offers insights for scholars and students in various disciplines.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 392 pages
Publication date: 23 May 2023
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Clothing, dresses, and ornamentation play a vital role in both individual and communal religious life and practice, yet they are often overlooked. This book brings together esteemed scholars to delve into the multifaceted roles of attire and adornment in the creation and communication of religious meaning, identity, and community. Contributors explore various aspects of religious dress in North America across the nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first centuries, examining adornment practices within a wide range of religious traditions and among individuals who navigate religious boundaries. The collection is structured around four frameworks for understanding the material culture of religion: theological interpretation, identity formation, negotiation of tradition, and activism.

Religion, Attire, and Adornment in North America offers a rich tapestry of essays that examine diverse topics such as the use of African fabrics by Black Israelites, Christian religious tattoos, Wiccan ritual nudity, Amish "plain dress," Mormon sacred garments, Hare Krishna robes, and the Church of Body Modification. This book caters to a wide range of undergraduate courses and provides valuable insights for scholars across various disciplines.

By examining the significance of clothing, dresses, and ornamentation in religious contexts, this book sheds light on the intricate ways in which these elements shape and influence religious practices, beliefs, and communities. It encourages readers to appreciate the depth and complexity of the relationship between religion and attire and to explore the broader cultural and social implications of religious dress. Whether one is interested in theology, anthropology, history, or cultural studies, this book offers valuable insights and perspectives that will enrich our understanding of the role of attire and adornment in the world of religion.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231204453