Indigenous Religions

Indigenous religions are the majority of the world's religions. This Companion shows how much they can contribute to a richer understanding of human identity, action and relationships. It also challenges their marginalization in the study of religions. An international team of contributors discuss representative indigenous religions from all continents in relation to significant themes. In the process they illustrate a variety of approaches to the study of religions. The Companion therefore provides a valuable resource and a provocation to a full consideration both of some of the most dynamic religions of the world and of ways in which they might be approached. The 17 chapters are divided among three parts labelled "People", "Power" and "Gifts" which encapsulate much of what is significant about a diversity of religions which are often pragmatic, multi-stranded, layered, non-dogmatic but unanalytical. They are frequently concerned with reciprocal rather than hierarchical relationships. Some challenge the obesssion with deities, showing that religions are concerned with a far broader range of relationships, many initiated and furthered by humanity not by putative "spiritual" beings. Others challenge obsessions about the afterlife or next world, showing that religions can be concerned with the pursuit of health, wealth and happiness in this world now. The possibility that this is true of all religions makes this Companion relevant to everyone interested in human religiosity today.

Graham Harvey is Professor of Religious Studies at The Open University, UK.