Focusing on traditional cultural anthropology, this book delves into the essential traits of Islam and contemporary Muslim society. It explores socio-cultural configurations and their universal aspects, as well as the contexts in which they arise and their semiotic meanings. Through this analysis, readers gain a deeper understanding of Islam's role and significance in the modern world.
"There is more to globalisation than just world-wide economic interconnectedness. Equally important is that cultures grow together, engage in rapprochements, harmonise global pluralism, find common values in human existence, agree on international laws and share fundamental ethics. It is not important whether women wear a hijab, or indigenous art is copyrighted; but it is important whether the death penalty is invoked for blasphemy, apostasy and homosexuality, or whether an inconvenient journalist exercising free speech can be murdered with impunity by the justice system of a potentate. Many problems span the whole world and cannot be solved by nationalist isolation. Human rights conventions and internationalised laws, agreements and compacts are a step in the right direction. Much more remains to be done. But from where to take the answers? Looking at many cultural expressions and major cultural impulses over the centuries and millennia of homo sapiens' existence - even going back to the Neanderthal - no coherent picture emerges of a trend, a teleological movement towards a set goal, a bright future, a utopia. Interrogating evolution, religion, secularisation, reason, ethics does not suggest an answer. Cultural features relating to sexuality, the ideas of equality, liberty and democracy, just show how varied and often unsatisfactory the pursuit of these ideals has been. The history of approaches to environmental issues, of the food quest, migration and violence neither reveals nor prescribes a future course. Navigating its cultural future humankind is alone. No natural law, religious determinism, or DNA predisposition steers our course. At the moment the values of the modern Western liberal democracy seem to point the way. But this may not last in the shifting maze of global cultural multilateralism."--Publisher
This book contributes to a field of growing interest in socio-political and anthropological indigeneity as a form of selfrepresentation and resistance against existing forms of state dominance. Developments in indigenous minorities over recent decades in the interpretation of their own traditional history as a source of self-confidence form the core of the discussion. Revival of tradition, re-tribalization and the loss of confidence in national governments are causing increasing problems. The South Pacific (including Australia) is on the eve of a new the 21st Century is opening chances to overcome deep-rooted obstacles and prejudices. At the same time, dangers are emerging in societies where democratic values are often interpreted by indigenous groups as foreign influences which should be replaced by traditional modes of representation. With examples drawn from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and New Caledonia, the book provides a comprehensive overview of a region in transition.
Paranormale Erlebnisse und das sogenannte Übernatürliche haben die Menschen zu allen Zeiten und in allen Kulturen fasziniert. In tribalen Gesellschaften baut die Karriere des Schamanen auf dem Paranormalen auf. Gleiches gilt für Heiler, Poeten, Magier und Regenzauberer. Aber auch die Erlebnisse anderer Personen fallen in diese epistemische Kategorie. Erich Kolig stellt Aspekte der Kultur und mythologischen Erlebniswelt der australischen Aborigines dar sowie ausgewählte Erzählungen aus Nordwestaustralien, die mysteriöse Erlebnisse der Aborigines in erstaunlichem Detail beschreiben und damit Fragen stellen, die bis heute von der Wissenschaft unbeantwortet bleiben. Sein besonderes Augenmerk gilt dem Kulturphänomen des „Maban“, das nach wie vor voller Geheimnisse ist.