Beyond Primitivism: Indigenous Religious Traditions and Modernity

What role do indigenous religions play in today's world? Beyond Primitivismis a complete appraisal of indigenous religions - faiths integrally connected to the cultures in which they originate, as distinct from globa religions of conversion - as practiced across America, Africa, Asia and the Pacific today. At a time when local traditions across the world are colliding with global culture, it explores the future of indigenous faiths as they encounter modernity and globalization.Beyond Primitivismargues that indigenous religions are not irrelevant in modern society, but that they are dynamic, progressive forces of continuing vitality and influence. Including essays on Haitianvodou, Korean shamanism, the Sri Lankan 'Wild Man', the contributors reveal the relevance of native religions to millions of believers worldwide, challenging the perception that they are vanishing from the face of the globe and demanding a much greater recognition of their importance.