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FROM PRIMITIVE TO INDIGENOUS 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’, James Cox mounts a defence for the scholarly use of the category ‘Indigenous Religions’. VITALITY OF INDIGENOUS RELIGIONS Series Editors Graham Harvey, Open University, UK Lawrence Martin, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, USA Tabona Shoko, University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Ines Talamantez, University of California, USA Ashgate’s Vitality of Indigenous Religions series offers an exciting new cluster of research monographs, drawing together volumes from leading international scholars across a wide range of disciplinary perspectives. Indigenous religions are vital and empowering for many thousands of indigenous peoples globally, and dialogue with, and consideration of, these diverse religious life-ways promises to challenge and refine the methodologies of a number of academic disciplines, whilst greatly enhancing understandings of the world. This series explores the development of contemporary indigenous religions from traditional, ancestral precursors, but the characteristic contribution of the series is its focus on their living and current manifestations. Devoted to the contemporary expression, experience and understanding of particular indigenous peoples and their religions, books address key issues which include: the sacredness of land, exile from lands, diasporic survival and diversification, the indigenization of Christianity and other missionary religions, sacred language, and re-vitalization movements. Proving of particular value to academics, graduates, postgraduates and higher level undergraduate readers worldwide, this series holds obvious attraction to scholars of Native American studies, Maori studies, African studies and offers invaluable contributions to religious studies, sociology, anthropology, geography and other related subject areas. OTHER TITLES IN THE SERIES Karanga Indigenous Religion in Zimbabwe Health and Well-Being Tabona Shoko ISBN 978–0–7546–5881–8 Indigenous Peoples’ Wisdom and Power Affirming Our Knowledge Through Narratives Edited by Nomalungelo I. Goduka and Julian E. Kunnie ISBN 978–0–7546–1597–2 Indigenous Diasporas and Dislocations Edited by Graham Harvey and Charles D. Thompson Jr. ISBN 978–0–7546–3906–0 The Vitality of Karamojong Religion Dying Tradition or Living Faith? Ben Knighton ISBN 978–0–7546–0383–2 From Primitive to Indigenous The Academic Study of Indigenous Religions JAMES L. COX University of Edinburgh, UK © James L. Cox 2007 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher. James L. Cox has asserted his moral right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the author of this work. Published by Ashgate Publishing Limited Gower House Croft Road Aldershot Hampshire GU11 3HR England Ashgate Publishing Company Suite 420 101 Cherry Street Burlington, VT 05401–4405 USA Ashgate website: http://www.ashgate.com British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Cox, James L. (James Leland) From primitive to indigenous : the academic study of indigenous religions. – (Vitality of indigenous religions series) 1. Religions – Study and teaching 2. Indigenous peoples – Religion I. Title 200.7’1 ISBN 978–0–7546–5569–5 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Cox, James L. (James Leland) From primitive to indigenous : the academic study of indige