Gender, Christianity and Change in Vanuatu: An Analysis of Social Movements in North Ambrym

An elegantly conceptualized and closely argued ethnographic work, this strikingly innovative study of cultural change should have a wide audience not only among area specialists but also among those working on Christianity, gender, and cultural change in other regions as well, who will need to engage its strong arguments that invite comparative application. Joel Robbins, University of California, San Diego, USA This book focuses on cultural change and political and social movements in the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu. The author focuses in particular on the way the relationship between gender and Christianity has shaped processes of social change, using both anthropological and historical analysis. The book details how change occurs and in doing so the author produces a model for understanding and comparing processes of change in small scale societies. Focusing on cultural change and the socio-political movements in the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, this book uses both anthropological and historical analysis to examine the way the relationship between gender and Christianity has shaped processes of social change. Based on extensive research conducted over decades, it is one of the few books available to focus on Vanuatu and on the impact of Christianity in Melanesia more generally; as well as on the significance of gender relations in understanding these developments. Providing a model for understanding and comparing processes of change in small scale societies, the book will appeal to scholars and students interested in the ethnography of Melanesia and in issues related to contemporary cultural change and gender more generally. Contents: Preface; Gender, Christianity and change; Kinship, place and movement; Origin routes; Women on the move; The loud and the silent stories; Women, churches and communities; From churches to councils and cults; On council, development and leadership; The social dynamics of Ambryn in a comparative perspective; Appendices; References; Index. About the Author: Annelin Eriksen is Post Doctoral Fellow at the University of Bergen, Norway.