Bourdieu in Africa: Exploring the Dynamics of Religious Fields 9004307567, 9789004307568

Table of contents :
Contents
Acknowledgements
List of Contributors

1 Introduction: Exploring the Dynamics of Religious Fields in Africa
Social Fields
Religious Fields
Religions in Africa
Religious Fields in Africa
Conclusion
References

2 Pierre Bourdieu and the Role of the Spirit in Some Zulu/Swathi AICs
Introduction
A Framework Suggested by Bourdieu’s Concept of Field
Habitus and Cultural Capital in the Context of African Initiated
Churches
Contestation in the Religious Field and Bourdieu’s Concept of Doxa
Le Roux and the Zulu Congregation at Wakkerstroom as a
Contested Field
Color Coding in Enyonini
Choice of Strategic Weapons in Enyonini
Prohibition of Pork
Bare Feet in Worship
Prohibition on Smoking
A Brief Note on the Red Robed Zionists: Cekwane, Vilikazi and the
AmaJericho Church
Conclusion
References

3 Re-Imagining the Religious Field: The Rhetoric of Nigerian Pentecostal Pastors in South Africa
Introduction
Of Field and Subfields
The Field of Religion in (South) Africa
Nigerians in South Africa
Missionaries to Our Brothers & Sisters: Nigerian Churches in
South Africa
Contesting Legitimacy: Self-Narration of Nigerian Pastorsin South Africa
Conclusion
References

4 The Faraqqasaa Pilgrimage Center from Bourdieu’s Perspectives of Field, Habitus and Capital
Introduction
Aayyoo Momina: Origin, Early Life, and Career
The Advent of Aayyoo Momina to Arsi: Two Different Perspectives
Religious Beliefs and Rituals at the Pilgrimage Center
Traditional Medicines
Spirit Possession Cult: Zar
Origin of Zar
Ways of Possession by Spirits
Natural Conditions
Inheritance
The Spirit’s Own Choice
Symptoms of Possession
Methods of Healing the Possessed
Conclusion
References

5 Fielding for the Faithful: A Tale of Two Religious Centers in a Small
Muslim Town in Kenya
Introduction
The Context
The Contest in the Field
The Strategies of Contests and Collaborations
Conclusion
References
Inter-Field Dynamics

6 The Bishop and the Politician: Intra- and Inter-Field Dynamics in 19th Century Natal,
South Africa
Introduction: Agents in Different Fields: J. W. Colenso andTh. Shepstone
The Bishop and the Politician in Cooperation (1854–1873)
The Bishop and the Politician in Conflict (1873–1883)
Conclusion: Bourdieu on the Social Functions of Religion, and the
‘Alternative Tradition’ in the History of Religions
References

7 Healers or Heretics: Diviners and Pagans Contest the Law in a Post-1994 Religious Field in
South Africa
Preamble
Introduction
The Genesis of a ‘Religious Field’
African Mediation with the Spirit Realm
Witchcraft in the African Context
Izangoma and the Witchcraft Suppression Act (3) of 1957
South Africa Pre- and Post-1994
Contemporary Paganism
New Legislation Changes the Field
Conclusion
References

8 The False Messiah—Evangelicalism, Youth and
Politics in Eritrea
National Myth and Project
Crackdown on Evangelical Churches
Revolutionary Prophecy and the Mergence of the Political
and the Religious
Views from Below
Alternative Evangelicalism
Outbound Migration
References

9 Seclusion versus Education: Bourdieu’s Perspective on Women Continuing Education Centers in
Northern Nigeria
Introduction
Women’s Education in Northern Nigeria: Problems and Prospects
Impact of Sharia
Description of Women Centers—Zamfara and Kano States
Arguments for the Existence of Women Centers
Seclusion or Education?
Implications of Bourdieu’s Perspective
Conclusion
References

10 Shembe is the Way: The Nazareth Baptist Church in
the Religious Field and in Academic Discourse
Introduction
The Nazareth Baptist Church (NBC) in the Religious Field
The NBC in the Academic Field
Emic Views of the NBC
Conclusion
References

Index