Contemporary Shamanisms in Norway
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Contemporary Shamanisms in Norway by Trude Fonneland
This book examines Sámi shamanism in Norway as a uniquely distinctive local manifestation of a global new religious phenomenon. It takes the diversity and hybridity within shamanic practices seriously through case studies from a Norwegian setting and highlights the ethnic dimension of these currents, through a particular focus on Sámi versions of shamanism. The book's thesis is that the construction of a Sámi shamanistic movement makes sense from the perspective of the broader ethno-political search for a Sámi identity, with respect to connections to indigenous peoples worldwide and trans-historically. It also makes sense in economic and marketing terms. Based on more than ten years of ethnographic research, the book paints a picture of contemporary shamanism in Norway in its cultural context, relating it both to the local mainstream cultures in which it is situated and to global networks. By this, the book provides the basis for a study revealing the development of inventiveness, nuances and polyphony that occur when a global religion of shamanism is merged in a Norwegian setting, colored by its own political and cultural circumstances.
This is a most rewarding read* Lukas Pokorny, University of Vienna, Religious Studies Review *
a rich and respectful study of shamanic practitioners as spiritual seekers and entrepreneurs intent on restoring cultural and religious heritage. Fonneland's work is undoubtedly an important contribution to the field of new religious movements, New Age, and indigenous religion. * Lisbeth Mikaelsson, Scandinavian Studies *
This is an elegantly written and multidimensional volume that manages to be theoretically sophisticated, ethnographically grounded, and eminently readable. It will be of value to both students and researchers engaged in the anthropological and/or sociological study of religion, and of shamanism in particular, as well those exploring the status of religion and spirituality in modern European society. * Michael F. Strmiska, Nova Religio *
Whether it is a modern manifestation of an old religion or it was invented on the basis of the theories of Michael Harner, certainly neo-shamanism seems to "work" both for its practitioners and devotees and for promoting reconciliation between Sámi and other Norwegians after centuries of discrimination and mistrust. This certainly makes the academic study of contemporary Norwegian shamanism a worthy enterprise, and Fonneland's well-written and fascinating book a welcome addition to a growing literature on Nordic new religious movements and global neo-shamanism. * Massimo Introvigne, Reading Religion *
a rich and respectful study of shamanic practitioners as spiritual seekers and entrepreneurs intent on restoring cultural and religious heritage. Fonneland's work is undoubtedly an important contribution to the field of new religious movements, New Age, and indigenous religion. * Lisbeth Mikaelsson, Scandinavian Studies *
This is an elegantly written and multidimensional volume that manages to be theoretically sophisticated, ethnographically grounded, and eminently readable. It will be of value to both students and researchers engaged in the anthropological and/or sociological study of religion, and of shamanism in particular, as well those exploring the status of religion and spirituality in modern European society. * Michael F. Strmiska, Nova Religio *
Whether it is a modern manifestation of an old religion or it was invented on the basis of the theories of Michael Harner, certainly neo-shamanism seems to "work" both for its practitioners and devotees and for promoting reconciliation between Sámi and other Norwegians after centuries of discrimination and mistrust. This certainly makes the academic study of contemporary Norwegian shamanism a worthy enterprise, and Fonneland's well-written and fascinating book a welcome addition to a growing literature on Nordic new religious movements and global neo-shamanism. * Massimo Introvigne, Reading Religion *
Trude Fonneland is currently professor at the Department of Culture studies at Tromsø University Museum, UiT, the Arctic University in Tromsø. Her research interests revolve around contemporary religion in society, particularly Sami shamanism, tourism, popular culture as well as research on Sami cultures and histories.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780190678821 |
| ISBN 10 | 0190678828 |
| Title | Contemporary Shamanisms in Norway |
| Author | Trude Fonneland |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press Inc |
| Year published | 2017-10-26 |
| Number of pages | 248 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |