Muslims and Matriarchs is a history of an unusual; probably heretical; and ultimately resilient cultural system. The Minangkabau culture of West Sumatra; Indonesia; is well known as the world's largest matrilineal culture; Minangkabau people are also Muslim and famous for their piety. In this book; Jeffrey Hadler examines the changing ideas of home and family in Minangkabau from the late eighteenth century to the 1930s.Minangkabau has experienced a sustained and sometimes violent debate between Muslim reformists and preservers of indigenous culture. During a protracted and bloody civil war of the early nineteenth century; neo-Wahhabi reformists sought to replace the matriarchate with a society modeled on that of the Prophet Muhammad. In capitulating; the reformists formulated an uneasy truce that sought to find a balance between Islamic law and local custom. With the incorporation of highland West Sumatra into the Dutch empire in the aftermath of this war; the colonial state entered an ongoing conversation. These existing tensions between colonial ideas of progress; Islamic reformism; and local custom ultimately strengthened the matriarchate.The ferment generated by the trinity of oppositions created social conditions that account for the disproportionately large number of Minangkabau leaders in Indonesian politics across the twentieth century. The endurance of the matriarchate is testimony to the fortitude of local tradition; the unexpected flexibility of reformist Islam; and the ultimate weakness of colonialism. Muslims and Matriarchs is particularly timely in that it describes a society that experienced a neo-Wahhabi jihad and an extended period of Western occupation but remained intellectually and theologically flexible and diverse.
#56195 in Books Baker Pub Group/Baker Books 2012-09-01 2012-09-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x .57 x 5.50l; .58 #File Name: 080107102X224 pagesGreat Emergence The How Christianity Is Changing and Why
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Insight into the New Generation of Church CommunitiesBy Micki SmithWell researched; well written; and helpful insights. A good read for anyone interested in today's emerging theological communities.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Enlightening!By Sam PatriaccaA very difficult book to read for two reasons; new undefined terminology; and the authors continual use of archaic and dated vocabulary.She is excellent in stating her thesis; and then bringing the past in to secure a thorough and pointed factual posit to defend her point.The best part is her grasp of what IS going on in North America primarily; but the world as well; culturally; as it ties into religion. The Emergence is started and upon us. As she says " the cub is now full grown" what it does and where it goes; is for us to watch!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great Emergence is a Great ReadBy K. Franke HillThe world is changing rapidly -- politically; culturally; religiously; economically; and philosophically. Living through these enormous shifts can be bewildering. Phyllis Tickle explains what is going on; how it fits a pattern in Western history; and give some thoughts on what the future may hold for us. Every 500 years Western; Latinized society goes through a huge shift. During these periods we wonder anew what it means to be human; where authority now lies; and how to function as a people; we lose aspects of life that have been meaningful to us even as new ways of living emerge. This book helps the reader understand what is going on and why. Very well written; engaging and easy to understand; The Great Emergence is a fine work that helps its audience find their footing in these challenging times.
