Hinduism outside the Indian subcontinent represents a contrasting and scattered community. From Britain to the Caribbean; diasporic Hindus have substantially reformed their beliefs and practices in accordance with their historical and social circumstances. In this theoretically innovative analysis Steven Vertovec examines:* the historical construction of the category 'Hinduism in India'* the formation of a distinctive Caribbean Hindu culture during the nineteenth century* the role of youth groups in forging new identities during Trinidad's Hindu Renaissance* the reproduction of regionally based identities and frictions in Britain's Hindu communities* the differences in temple use across the diaspora.This book provides a rich and fascinating view of the Hindu diaspora in the past; present and its possible futures.
#1719641 in Books 1997-05-25 1997-05-25Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x .67 x 5.43l; .82 #File Name: 0415107598296 pages
Review
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful. If you like historiography...By A. New YorkerI recommend "The Invention of Ancient Israel" to anyone interested in how history is researched and written. It's more about historiography--the study of historical writing--than about history per se; although it includes much of the latter as a necessary consequence.To everyone interested in this book--pro or con--I also highly recommend Prof. Hayden White’s work. Here are a few more quotes from Prof. White relevant to Prof. Whitelam’s themes:From the article “The Burden of History;†in the journal “History and Theory;†Vol 5. No. 2:"We choose our past in the same way we choose our future. The historical past therefore; is; like our various personal pasts; at best a myth; justifying our gamble on a specific future; and at worst a lie; a retrospective rationalization of what we have become through our choices.""Historical systems differ from biological systems by their capacity to act as if they could choose their own ancestors."“The historical past is plastic in a way that the genetic past is not. Men range over it and select from it models of comportment for structuring their movement into the future. They choose a set of ideal ancestors that they treat as genetic progenitors.""In choosing our past; we choose a present; and vice versa. We use the one to justify the other. By constructing our present; we assert our freedom; by seeking retroactive justification for it in our past; we silently strip ourselves of the freedom that has allowed us to become what we are." (--summarizing Sartre's view of history.)From “The Fiction of Narrative†(collected essays; 2010):"The practical past is made up of all those memories; illusions; bits of vagrant information; attitudes and values which the individual or the group summons up as best they can to justify; dignify; excuse; alibi; or make a case for actions to be taken in the prosecution of a life project."0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. repetition of same ideaBy quaThis book could be cut down at least in half. I gave it three stars because the information presented is important --- and probably new to most readers. tthose who follow "biblical" archeology will have already suspected that the "finds" are at odds with the stories0 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Important work.By SeveroImportant work. Finally some truth in the subject of Canaanite history and the rational analysis of the history of the region without having it just be a story canvassed by The Cult of Yahweh. Why has it taken so long to shed rational light on Levantine history outside the fairy tales of Yahwehists ( Christians; Muslims;...)?Bravo! Hopefully one day the true true history of the region will be known and its rich polytheistic traditions gain the attention they rightly deserve; and should have been given all along.
