The Invention of Prophecy: Continuity and Meaning in Hopi Indian Religion [Hardcover]

Armin W. Geertz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 13, 1994

Armin Geertz corrects what he sees as basic American and European tendencies to misrepresent non-Western cultures. Carefully documenting the historical role of prophecy in Hopi Indian religion, Geertz shows how prophecies about the end of the world have been created by the Hopi Traditionalist Movement and used by non-Indian movements, cults, and interest groups. Many of the seeming peculiarities of Hopi religion and culture have been invented, he says, by tourists, novelists, journalists, and scholars, and the millennial Traditionalist Movement has subtly co-authored European and American stereotypes of Indians. Geertz's richly detailed examples and persuasive arguments will be welcomed by all those interested in Native American studies, comparative religions, anthropology, and sociology.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Methodologically sophisticated, theoretically informed, and substantively significant. It represents a major achievement by a gifted scholar in comparative religion who has already established his competence, creativity and resourcefulness in his previous publications. This book presents an extended analysis and discussion of important features of Hopi Religion, especially prophecy, as well as relevant approaches to the study of religion. Because of this dual focus "The Invention of Prophecy advances not only our knowledge or Hopi Religion, but also the debate about theory and method currently proceeding in comparative religion. . . . Scholars will welcome this magnificent contribution not only to our knowledge of Hopi religion but also to the scientific study of religion."--"Numen

From the Inside Flap

"The most important contribution to the history of Hopi religion that is currently available."--Fred Eggan, University of Chicago

"Especially effective as a critique and displacement of largely misconceived and widely accepted interpretations of Hopi myth and Hopi political factionalism."--Peter Whiteley, Sarah Lawrence College

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 530 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press (July 13, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520081811
• ISBN-13: 978-0520081819
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,018,112 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars New Age Practitioners: Hang on a minute, read this book, December 5, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Invention of Prophecy: Continuity and Meaning in Hopi Indian Religion (Hardcover)

A very interesting hypothesis and probably right on track. It is easy to believe that the grandeur of the "Hopi Prophecies" is merely a product of charlatan spoof that has precipitated ridiculous misconceptions and notions of a very important aspect of Hopi culture. Perhaps some elements of these prophecies are based in truth but what Armin Geertz has shown is that because of polital factionalism and intracultural bias many of these myths of Hopi religion were created merely to make certain non-Hopi individuals a great deal of money and to substantiate the political (and thus prestigious) ambitions of particular Hopi leaders. Before you jump onto the "New Age" bandwagan and start beating the drum to the dance of your commercial kachina, you should probably purchase this book and study it closely. In the end, just try thinking!