The Vitality of Karamojong Religion

Dying Tradition or Living Faith?

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality
Cover of the book The Vitality of Karamojong Religion by Ben Knighton, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Ben Knighton ISBN: 9781351880572
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: May 15, 2017
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Ben Knighton
ISBN: 9781351880572
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: May 15, 2017
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

How long can a traditional religion survive the impact of world religions, state hegemony, and globalization? The ’Karamoja problem’ is one that has perplexed colonial and independent governments alike. Now Karamojong notoriety for armed cattle raiding has attracted the attention of the UN and USAID since the proliferation of small arms in the pastoralist belt across Africa from Sudan to stateless Somalia is deemed a threat to world security. The consequences are ethnocidal, but what makes African peoples stand out against state and global governance? The traditional African religion of the Karamojong, despite the multiple external influences of the twentieth century and earlier, has remained at the heart of their culture as it has changed through time. Drawing on oral accounts and the language itself, as well as his extensive experience of living and working in the region, Knighton avoids Western perspectivism to highlight the successful reassertion of African beliefs and values over repeated attempts by interventionists to replace or subvert them. Knighton argues that the religious aspect of Karamojong culture, with its persistent faith dimension, is one of the key factors that have enabled them to maintain their amazing degree of religious, political, and military autonomy in the postmodern world. Using historical and anthropological approaches, the real continuities within the culture and the reasons for mysterious vitality of Karamojong religion are explored.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

How long can a traditional religion survive the impact of world religions, state hegemony, and globalization? The ’Karamoja problem’ is one that has perplexed colonial and independent governments alike. Now Karamojong notoriety for armed cattle raiding has attracted the attention of the UN and USAID since the proliferation of small arms in the pastoralist belt across Africa from Sudan to stateless Somalia is deemed a threat to world security. The consequences are ethnocidal, but what makes African peoples stand out against state and global governance? The traditional African religion of the Karamojong, despite the multiple external influences of the twentieth century and earlier, has remained at the heart of their culture as it has changed through time. Drawing on oral accounts and the language itself, as well as his extensive experience of living and working in the region, Knighton avoids Western perspectivism to highlight the successful reassertion of African beliefs and values over repeated attempts by interventionists to replace or subvert them. Knighton argues that the religious aspect of Karamojong culture, with its persistent faith dimension, is one of the key factors that have enabled them to maintain their amazing degree of religious, political, and military autonomy in the postmodern world. Using historical and anthropological approaches, the real continuities within the culture and the reasons for mysterious vitality of Karamojong religion are explored.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book The Trouble with Human Nature by Ben Knighton
Cover of the book Routledge Handbook of Celebrity Studies by Ben Knighton
Cover of the book Staging The Renaissance by Ben Knighton
Cover of the book Music Writing Literature, from Sand via Debussy to Derrida by Ben Knighton
Cover of the book Joseph Stone by Ben Knighton
Cover of the book Materan Contradictions by Ben Knighton
Cover of the book Interrogating Popular Culture by Ben Knighton
Cover of the book On Human Freedom by Ben Knighton
Cover of the book Tourism Geography by Ben Knighton
Cover of the book Invisible Now: Bob Dylan in the 1960s by Ben Knighton
Cover of the book Towards a Ceasefire in Kashmir by Ben Knighton
Cover of the book The Routledge Companion to Lean Management by Ben Knighton
Cover of the book Men and Masculinities by Ben Knighton
Cover of the book According to the Scriptures? by Ben Knighton
Cover of the book Britain in the World Economy since 1880 by Ben Knighton
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy