Ritual and Belief: Readings in the Anthropology of Religion

By David Hicks

Book Overview

Ritual and Belief: Readings in the Anthropology of Religion is a collection of 41 readings in religion, magic, and witchcraft. The choice of readings is eclectic: no single anthropological approach or theoretical perspective dominates the text. Theoretical significance, scholarly eminence of the author, and inherent interest provide the principal criteria, and each reading complements its companion chapters, which are pedagogically coherent rather than ad hoc assemblages. Included among the theoretical perspectives are structural-functionalism, structuralism, Malinowskian functionalism, cultural materialism, and cultural evolutionism; also included are the synchronic and diachronic approaches. The book offers a mixture of classic readings and more recent contributions, and the "world religions" are included along with examples from the religions of traditionally non-literate cultures. As diverse a range of religious traditions as possible has been embraced, from various ethnic groups, traditions, and places.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0759111561
• ISBN13: 9780759111561
• Release Date: June 2010
• Publisher: Altamira Press
• Length: 496 Pages
• Weight: 2.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.9" x 9.9"

Customer Reviews

Good overview of readings on the Anthropology of Religion

Hicks's prefaces and forewords in this collection of articles and excerpts on religious anthropology aren't nearly as interesting as the choice bits & pieces he's assembled. This was my text for a college level course on the subject, and the large selection of wide-ranging pieces on everything from the standard western funeral to the beliefs of the Dogon worked well with my class lectures to provide a solid basis of knowledge on the subject. Hicks's analyses, while informative, are outshown by the various authors' wonderful descriptions of beliefs and rites and their own conclusions made from their studies. The readings are grouped by topic, including Death, Religious Rites, Totems, Revitalization, etc. Overall, I found it an enjoyable read. The article / excerpt format also makes it easy to read a complete piece on a particular subject in one sitting, or if you're a professor to provide interesting, reasonably-sized reading assignments.