January 2014 Academic & Specialist Anthropology

Exploring Muslim Contexts

Ethnographies of Islam: Ritual Performances and Everyday Practices edited by Baudouin Dupret, Thomas Pierret, Paulo G. Pinto, Kathryn Spellman-Poots

Exploring Muslim Contexts

Ethnographies of Islam: Ritual Performances and Everyday Practices
edited by Baudouin Dupret, Thomas Pierret, Paulo G. Pinto, Kathryn Spellman-Poots


Islam is stereotypically presented as a monolithic civilisation that has stifled the emergence of cultural pluralism and individual freedom. In contrast, this volume showcases the diversity and plurality of Muslim societies. The contributors reflect on how the ethnographic method allows the description, representation and analysis of the social and cultural complexity of Muslim societies in the discourse of anthropology. It shows the benefit of using ethnography as a method to engage with and relate to specific real-world examplesIt includes case studies on rituals and symbols in Syria, Tunisia, Damascus, Algeria, Britain, Pakistan, Brazil and Lebanon.