Indigenous Churches

Beschreibung

This book raises the question of what an Indigenous church is and how its members define their ties of affiliation or separation. Establishing a pioneering dialogue between Amazonian and Gran Chaco studies on Indigenous Christianity, the contributions address historical processes, cosmological conceptions, ritual practices, leadership dynamics, and material formations involved in the creation and diversification of Indigenous churches. Instead of focusing on the study of missionary ideologies and praxis, the book explores Indigenous peoples' interpretations of Christianity and the institutional arrangements they make to create, expand, or dismantle their churches. In doing so, the volume offers a South American contribution to the theoretical project of the anthropology of Christianity, especially as it relates to the issue of denominationalism and inter-denominational relations. 

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Élise Capredon

Themen in »Indigenous Churches«

Anthropology of Christianity South American lowlands indigenous people Christianity inter-denominationalism orthodoxy

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“This work is highly recommended and stands as an essential read for anyone interested in the contemporary challenges facing Indigenous Christianities in the Amazon and Gran Chaco. Based on rigorous field research, the chapters reveal the true nature of Indigenous Christianity … . By focusing on Indigenous interpretations of Christianity, rather than centering on missionary practices, the book offers a valuable contribution to scholars and researchers in the field.” (Gustavo Sanches Duarte, International Journal of Latin American Religions, Vol. 8 (2), 2024)

"These studies contribute to extending anthropological knowledge of Indigenous Christianities by offering an updated account of religious affiliation in the South American lowlands, its varied links with colonization, modernity and interethnic networks, and above all of the inter-denominational relations between contemporary native churches. To paraphrase Saint Augustine, no one shall move Indigenous Christians from the faith that binds their minds with so many and such strong ties to the Christian religion. This volume helps us to understand why." (Diego Villar, IICS-CONICET/UCA, Argentina)

"Indigenous Churches is a landmark volume in the regional anthropology of Latin America and a welcome contribution to the study of native Christianities worldwide. The strength of this edited book lies both in the scope and diversity of its contributors, representing an extraordinary range of national academic affiliations and field sites, and also in the remarkable coherence of the key themes the authors explore. These themes reflect the historical moment we find ourselves in, one in which indigenous churches are established institutions which operate at several scales of governance and carry their own historical and political depth. The rich ethnographies presented here span the entire sub-continent and provide incisive case-studies of the 'plurality' of native churches, of the complexity of indigenous belief and the ontological dynamism of inter-denominational relationships within and beyond Christianity." (Vanessa Grotti, Associate Professor of Anthropology, University of Bologna)

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