Religious Sounds Beyond the Global North: Senses, Media and Power

Religious sounds are shaped by communities, producing subjectivities and collectivities that coalesce around audible aesthetic formations, demonstrating that religious sounds are not only produced by certain religious traditions but also produce communities, shaping the self and sensitivity of those who participate.

Format: Hardback
Length: 338 pages
Publication date: 18 April 2024
Publisher: Amsterdam University Press

Religious Sounds Beyond the Global North is a groundbreaking book that explores the relationship between sounds, bodies, and media in the private and public life of communities beyond the Global North. It foregrounds connections between sounds, bodies, and media in the private and public life of communities beyond the Global North, analyzing diverse configurations of the category of sound and various sonic ontologies to usher in a more inclusive global anthro-history of religious sounds. The editors, Carola E. Lorea and Rosalind I. J. Hackett, propose an acoustemology of the post-secular with an emphasis on Asia as method, unsettling and expanding existing discussions on senses, media, and power. They present religious sounds as co-creating subjectivities and collectivities that coalesce around audible aesthetic formations, demonstrating that religious sounds are not only produced by certain religious traditions but also produce communities, shaping the self and sensitivity of those who participate.

One of the key themes of the book is the idea that religious sounds are not just produced by certain religious traditions but also produce communities. The editors argue that religious sounds are not only heard but also felt, and that they can have a profound impact on the way that individuals and communities perceive the world. They use a variety of examples to illustrate this point, including the use of music in religious ceremonies, the sound of prayer in a mosque, and the sound of chanting in a temple.

The book also explores the ways in which religious sounds are shaped by the media. The editors argue that the media has played a significant role in the dissemination of religious sounds, and that it has had a profound impact on the way that religious traditions are perceived. They use examples such as the rise of religious radio and television, the use of social media to share religious content, and the use of music in advertising to illustrate this point.

In addition to these themes, the book also explores the ways in which religious sounds are shaped by the body. The editors argue that the body is a key site of religious experience, and that it is through the body that religious sounds are produced and experienced. They use examples such as the use of dance in religious ceremonies, the use of meditation in religious practices, and the use of yoga in religious practices to illustrate this point.

One of the strengths of the book is its interdisciplinary approach. The editors bring together a wide range of scholars from different fields, including anthropology, sociology, musicology, and religious studies, to explore the relationship between sounds, bodies, and media in the private and public life of communities beyond the Global North. This interdisciplinary approach allows the editors to draw on a wide range of perspectives and to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the topic.

Another strength of the book is its use of a variety of examples. The editors use a wide range of examples to illustrate their points, including examples from different religious traditions, different geographical regions, and different historical periods. This allows the readers to see the diversity of religious sounds and to understand the ways in which they are shaped by different factors.

However, the book also has some limitations. One of the limitations is that it is primarily focused on the Global North. While the editors do include examples from other regions, the book is primarily focused on the Global North, and this can limit the scope of the discussion.

Another limitation is that the book is primarily focused on the Western perspective. While the editors do include examples from other cultures, the book is primarily focused on the Western perspective, and this can limit the understanding of the topic.

Despite these limitations, Religious Sounds Beyond the Global North is a valuable book that makes a significant contribution to the study of religion. It foregrounds connections between sounds, bodies, and media in the private and public life of communities beyond the Global North, analyzing diverse configurations of the category of sound and various sonic ontologies to usher in a more inclusive global anthro-history of religious sounds. The editors' proposal of an acoustemology of the post-secular with an emphasis on Asia as method is a particularly innovative and exciting approach, and it has the potential to transform the way that we think about religious sounds.

In conclusion, Religious Sounds Beyond the Global North is a groundbreaking book that explores the relationship between sounds, bodies, and media in the private and public life of communities beyond the Global North. It foregrounds connections between sounds, bodies, and media in the private and public life of communities beyond the Global North, analyzing diverse configurations of the category of sound and various sonic ontologies to usher in a more inclusive global anthro-history of religious sounds. The editors' proposal of an acoustemology of the post-secular with an emphasis on Asia as method is a particularly innovative and exciting approach, and it has the potential to transform the way that we think about religious sounds.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789463726160