Overview

What is the distinctive Zoroastrian experience, and what is the common diasporic experience? The Zoroastrian Diaspora is the outcome of twenty years of research and of archival and fieldwork in eleven countries, involving approximately 250,000 miles of travel. It has also involved a survey questionnaire in eight countries, yielding over 1,840 responses.This is the first book to attempt a global comparison of Diaspora groups in six continents. Little has been written about Zoroastrian communities as far apart as China, East Africa, Europe, America, and Australia or on Parsis in Mumbai post-Independence. Each chapter is based on unused original sources ranging from nineteenth century archives to contemporary newsletters. The book also includes studies of Zoroastrians on the Internet, audio-visual resources, and the modern development of Parsi novels in English.As well as studying the Zoroastrians for their own inherent importance, this book contextualizes the Zoroastrian migrations within contemporary debates on Diaspora studies. John R. Hinnells examines what it is like to be a religious Asian in Los Angeles or London, Sydney or Hong Kong. Moreover, he explores not only how experience differs from one country to another, but also the differences between cities in the same country, for example, Chicago and Houston. The survey data is used firstly to consider the distinguishing demographic features of the Zoroastrian communities in various countries; and secondly to analyse different patterns of assimilation between different groups: men and women and according to the level and type of education. Comparisons are also drawn between people from rural and urban backgrounds; and between generations in religious beliefs and practices, including the preservation of secular culture.

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9780198267591

Table of Contents

Reviews

Professor John Hinnells' masterful work summarizes the fruit of his 20 years of research on, among, and with the Zoroastrians in diaspora...In eleven fascinating chapters he explores the history and contributions of the diaspora Zoroastrians to various fields of knowledge and human life...an exemplary work that will shape all future investigations on global Zoroastrianism. Daniel Jeyaraj Theological Book Review The breadth and depth of this book reflect the 250,000 miles of travel logged by the author in researching it. One can confidently state that the incredible effort and dedication to bring this book to press twenty years after the original lectures have not been in vain. Yuhan S. D. Vevaina, JRAS an awesome piece of research, the fruit of 30 years of study... A ground-breaking contribution not only to the study of Zoroastrianism but also to the debate on migration and diasporic communities. This is a book that nobody working in Zoroastrian or diaspora studies can afford to ignore. Almut Hintze, THES ...an awesome piece of research...an important, indeed ground-breaking, contribution not only to the study of Zoroastrianism but also to the debate on migration and diaspora communities. This is a book which nobody working in Zoroastrian or Diaspora studies can afford to ignore. Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, Volume 69, Issue 2 ...very detailed and rich accounts that are based on an unusually vast array of source materials...a unique testimony to the accomplishment of one of the pioneer students of religious diaspora, possessing an incomparably intimate knowledge of the people he studies. Numen, Volume 53

The breadth and depth of this book reflect the 250,000 miles of travel logged by the author in researching it. One can confidently state that the incredible effort and dedication to bring this book to press twenty years after the original lectures have not been in vain. Yuhan S. D. Vevaina, JRAS an awesome piece of research, the fruit of 30 years of study... A ground-breaking contribution not only to the study of Zoroastrianism but also to the debate on migration and diasporic communities. This is a book that nobody working in Zoroastrian or diaspora studies can afford to ignore. Almut Hintze, THES ...an awesome piece of research...an important, indeed ground-breaking, contribution not only to the study of Zoroastrianism but also to the debate on migration and diaspora communities. This is a book which nobody working in Zoroastrian or Diaspora studies can afford to ignore. Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, Volume 69, Issue 2 ...very detailed and rich accounts that are based on an unusually vast array of source materials...a unique testimony to the accomplishment of one of the pioneer students of religious diaspora, possessing an incomparably intimate knowledge of the people he studies. Numen, Volume 53

Author Information

John R. Hinnells is Professor of Comparative Religion at Liverpool Hope University College. He was formerly Professor of Comparative Religion at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London

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