This collection of essays, based on first-hand anthropological field research spanning many years, brings together in a single volume the author's collected material on characteristics of popular Islam amongst the Somali of the Horn of Africa. The tension between mystically mediated views of man's relation to God and more ritualistic interpretations of region provides the main focus of this book-Sufism on the one hand, and skeptical criticism of this mystical understanding of Islam on the other. A universal religion here, as elsewhere, Islam has its own local emphasis and special features, and in these investigations of the cult of saints, the reader is introduced to an array of Somali saints and holy men, their reputation for mystical powers, and the pathways to veneration. The repertoire includes clan ancestors, local holy men of outstanding piety, and famous pan-Islamic figures. These essays also look at some popular practices which are at the margins of orthodox religion, such as spirit possession cults associated primarily with women. Lewis' introductory essay to this volume deserves special attention. In it he challenges single strand theories on the cult of saints espoused by some scholars and non scholars, and sets the stage for the presentation of an intricate and integrated picture of Muslim beliefs and practice among the Somali. Rigorous, outspoken, and backing his arguments with reflections based on a lifetime of research and scholarship, Lewis makes a major contribution to understanding the place and role of religion in Somali society.
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This collection of essays based on first-hand anthropological field research spanning many years, brings together in a single volume the author's collected material on characteristics of popular Islam amongst the Somali of the Horn of Africa.
The tension between mystically mediated views of man's relation to God and more ritualistic interpretations of region provides the main focus of this book-Sufism on the one hand, and skeptical criticism of this mystical understanding of Islam on the other.
A universal religion here, as elsewhere, Islam has its own local emphasis and special features, and in these investigations of the cult of saints, the reader is introduced to an array of Somali saints and holy men, their reputation for mystical powers, and the pathways to veneration. The repertoire includes clan ancestors, local holy men of outstanding piety, and famous pan-Islamic figures.
These essays also look at some popular practices which are at the margins of orthodox religion, such as spirit possession cults associated primarily with women.
Lewis' introductory essay to this volume deserves special attention. In it he challenges single strand theories on the cult of saints espoused by some scholars and non scholars, and sets the stage for the presentation of an intricate and integrated picture of Muslim beliefs and practice among the Somali.
Rigorous, outspoken, and backing his arguments with reflections based on a lifetime of research and scholarship, Lewis makes a major contribution to understanding the place and role of religion in Somali society.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Saint and Somalis gives insight into the workings of Somali society,
By Shimbir Libaax (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Saints and Somalis: Popular Islam in a Clan-Based Society (Paperback)
Somalia is and has been for 20 years a region of the earth with a fragmented and mostly broken government. Pirates and terrorists prey upon the Somalis and upon outsiders who enter their perimeter. We urgently need to understand the social structures that do exist in Somalia,so that we may develop strategies that address these problems of importance to our globalized community.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Very interesting but not completely accurate,
By Sister81 (UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Saints and Somalis: Popular Islam in a Clan-Based Society (Paperback)
My husband was recommended this book when he visited the British Library; he is from the Reer Sheikh Mumin one of the clans of Arab origin mentioned several times in this book; it is a very interesting book but some of the things written about my husband's clan are from colonial sources and thus not fully accurate; for example saying that they were into sorcery and banditry is simply not correct; this was a smear first started by the Italian ruler whom the town of Lugh Ferrandi was named after; also it is now thought by some sources that the Reer Sheikh Mumin migrated to Somalia over a thousand years ago, not 300
1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good, really good,
By A Customer
This review is from: Saints and Somalis: Popular Islam in a Clan-Based Society (Hardcover)
Absolytely good boo
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First Sentence:
In a Muslim culture, the study of Islam tends to throw as much light on the social structure as the study of the social structure does upon religion. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
northern nomads, southern cultivators, clan genealogies, lineage structure, clan politics, lineage ancestors, lineage system Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Sharif Yuusuf, Sheikh Husseen, Reer Sheikh Muumin, Bur Hacaba, Haran Madare, Sky God, Bur Heibe, Sheikh Mahammad, Somali Islam, Mahammad Hanif, Prophet Mahammad, Sheikh Isaaq, Somali Republic, Gasar Gudde, Sharif Yusuf, Sheikh Yuusuf, Sufi Orders New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
In a Muslim culture, the study of Islam tends to throw as much light on the social structure as the study of the social structure does upon religion. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
northern nomads, southern cultivators, clan genealogies, lineage structure, clan politics, lineage ancestors, lineage system Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Sharif Yuusuf, Sheikh Husseen, Reer Sheikh Muumin, Bur Hacaba, Haran Madare, Sky God, Bur Heibe, Sheikh Mahammad, Somali Islam, Mahammad Hanif, Prophet Mahammad, Sheikh Isaaq, Somali Republic, Gasar Gudde, Sharif Yusuf, Sheikh Yuusuf, Sufi Orders New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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