Abstract:

The academic study of Indigenous Religions developed historically from missiological and anthropological sources, but little analysis has been devoted to this classification within departments of religious studies. Evaluating this assumption in the light of case studies drawn from Zimbabwe, Alaska and shamanic traditions, and in view of current debates over 'primitivism', the author mounts a defence for the scholarly use of the category 'Indigenous Religions'. The chapter of the book includes: The Academic Study of Indigenous Religions, Essentialism and the World Religions Paradigm, Defining ‘Indigenous’ Scientifically, Towards a Socio-cultural, Non-essentialist Interpretation of Religion, The Yupiit of Alaska, The Adaptive Nature of Indigenous Religions in Zimbabwe, Indigenous Religions and the Debate over Primitivism.