Women of the Sacred Groves - Divine Priestesses of Okinawa

Zusatztext The value of this sensitive study rests in its close attention to gender-related issues....This is a valuable addition to the literature on this relatively understudied area of the world. Klappentext Although most historical and contemporary religions are governed by men, there are, scattered throughout the world, a handful of well-documented religions led by women. Most of these are marginal, subordinate, or secondary religions in the societies in which they are located. The one known exception to this rule is the indigenous religion of Okinawa, where women lead the official mainstream religion of the society. In this fieldwork-based study, Susan Sered provides the first in-depth look at this unique religious tradition, exploring the intersection between religion and gender. In addition to providing important information on this remarkable and little-studied group, this book helps to overturn our mostly unexamined assumptions that male dominance of the religious sphere is universal, axiomatic, and necessary. Zusammenfassung This text looks at the unique tradition of Okinawa, where women lead the official mainstream religion of the society. It explores the intersection between religion and gender. The author sees the absence of male dominance as part of a broader absence of hierarchical ideologies.

Product details

• Authors: Susan Sered, Susan (Associate Professor of Sociology and Sered, Susan (Associate Professor of Sociology and Anthropology Sered, Susan Starr Sered
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.02.1999
• EAN: 9780195124873
• ISBN: 978-0-19-512487-3
• No. of pages: 306
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > Sociological theories; Japan, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Gender Studies, RELIGION / Shintoism, RELIGION / Devotional, RELIGION / Sexuality & Gender Studies, Worship, rites & ceremonies, Gender studies, gender groups, Worship, rites, ceremonies and rituals, Shintoism