Overview

Focusing on the intricate presence of a Japanese new religion (Sekai Kyûseikyô) in the densely populated and primarily Christian environment of Kinshasa (DR Congo), this ethnographic study offers a practitioner-orientated perspective to create a localized picture of religious globalization. Guided by an aesthetic approach to religion, the study moves beyond a focus limited to text and offers insights into the role of religious objects, spiritual technologies and aesthetic repertoires in the production and politics of difference. The boundaries between non-Christian religious minorities and the largely Christian public sphere involve fears and suspicion of ""magic"" and ""occult sciences"".

Full Product Details

Author:   Peter Lambertz
Publisher:   Berghahn Books
Imprint:   Berghahn Books
ISBN:  

9781785336690

ISBN 10:   178533669
Pages:   308
Publication Date:   29 December 2017
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

List of Illustrations Acknowledgements Introduction Chapter 1. 'Light in the Darkness': Towards a Congolese Spiritual Movement 'from Japan' Chapter 2. Occult Sciences: (il)legitimate Secrecy and the Infrapolitics of Suspicion Chapter 3. Blossoming Boundaries: (Re-)production and Contestation of Japanese Flower Practices Chapter 4. Cleansing the City: Touch, Rubbish and Citizenship Chapter 5. Experiencing Faith: Crisis, Miracles and Spiritual Healing Chapter 6. (In) Touch without Contact: Johrei and the Aura of the Self Chapter 7. Vibrating Words: Performative Silence and the Power of Words Chapter 8. Imported Tradition: 'Ancestor Worship' as Reverse Orientalism Conclusion Bibliography Index

Reviews

This completely original book offers a vivid, innovative perspective on new religions in the postcolonial context of Central Africa. * Filip De Boeck, Institute for Anthrooplogical Research in Africa

Author Information

Peter Lambertz is a post-doc fellow at the German Historical Institute (Paris) and the Centre des recherches sur les politiques sociales in Dakar. He holds a joint PhD from the universities of Utrecht and Leipzig (Religious Studies/African Studies) and has been teaching at the Philosophat Edith Stein in Kisangani.

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