Course Code: BRS03

A Detailed Study of Primal Religious Traditions

BD III, Semester 1, 4 Credit Hours, College Paper

Course Objectives:

1. To critically study the features of Primal Religious Traditions in different parts of India.
2. To cultivate an informed understanding of Primal Religious Traditions, particularly discerning the liberating resources and integrative perspectives in them in the context of contemporary problems faced by society.
3. To discern the challenges faced by tribal people and their religious traditions in contemporary times and to study some of the responses made by the tribal people.
4. To conscientize students to recognize differences and distinctiveness of various ethnic/indigenous communities in India.

Methodology:

• A poly-methodological approach is used, particularly socio-anthropological and phenomenological methods.
• The different sections of the course include critical reflections from the perspectives of women, children, and the marginalized, particularly from the indigenous communities themselves.
• Students are expected to visit places considered important for the study, i.e., to observe the performance of rituals and the celebration of festivals.
• Visit homes of indigenous people and seek their views on their beliefs, practices, joys, and problems. If possible, lectures by knowledgeable indigenous persons can be arranged.
• Certain sections of the syllabus may be assigned to students for self-study and presentation.

Course Requirements:

• Final Examination: 60%
• Internal Assessment: 40%

Course Outline:

Unit I: Introduction

• Understanding of the term Primal Religions.
• Anthropological Theories about the Origin of Religions.
• Functionalist and Symbolical Anthropological Insights in the study of Primal Religions.
• Psychological Insights in the study of Primal Religions.
• Phenomenological Approaches to the study of Primal Religions.

Unit II: Fundamental Characteristics of Primal Religion

• Supreme Being: different names and understandings. Role and Function of Supreme God – Creation; Divine Love, Compassion, and Grace; Granting Blessings; Involvement in Human Daily Affairs; Dispensing Justice and Retribution.
• Animistic forms of the supernatural: Spirits (Benevolent and Malevolent) and their relation to nature, living beings.
• Ancestor worship.
• Totemism.
• Mami.
• Taboo, Fetish, Omen, Divination, Magic, Evil Eye.

Unit III: Beliefs and Practices

• Life after Death, Ethical, and Moral Values, God and Human and Nature relationship.
• Religious Functionaries:
  • Priests.
  • Shaman.
  • Magicians.
  • Witchcraft.
  • Prophets.
  • Dreamers.
  • Visionary people.
  • Medicine persons.
• Religious rituals and practices:
  • Sacrifices related to Life after Death.
  • Sacrifices to Malevolent spirits as curative sacrifices.
  • Sacrifices to Benevolent spirits with the purpose of getting blessing.
  • Sacrifice as means of worship.
• Festivals and their religious contribution:
  • Festivals relating to agricultural seasons.
  • Festivals relating to the concept of Life after death.
  • Festivals relating to community welfare and prosperity on earth.
• Worship:
  • Community worship.
  • Clan and Family worship.
  • Individual worship.
• Relationship between Earthly life and Life after death:
  • The performance of good works and work ethic.
  • Effect of ethical and moral values.
  • God’s role and interference in human life and its relationship with nature.

Unit IV: Some Basic Concepts of Primal Religions compared to concepts from other religions and perspectives

• Human-Nature Dichotomy and Unity or Integrity of experience.
• Individualism and Communitarian Living.
• Space and Place.
• Linear and Eternal time.
• Textuality and Orality.
• Significance of Myths and Rituals.
• Ethical Principles and Values.

Unit VI: Special Study of Primal Religious Traditions in the Indian sub-Continent

In the light of the discussion in the above sub-sections, students will be expected to study one primal religious tradition in each of the following geographical areas:

• North East India.
• North India.
• South India (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu) or Sri Lanka.

Unit VII: Challenges faced by people who follow Primal Religion

• Problem of Patriarchy, Customary Laws and Practices.
• Ethnic Communalism.
• Slash and Burn method of Cultivation.
• Industrialization and Globalization.
• Preservation and Growth of indigenous language and culture.
• Sacred primal religious elements being held/displayed as “objects” in museums and misuse of traditional/sacred knowledge in New Age/”pop” Religions.
• Sanskritization and its implications.
• Problems in Affirming Identity, Dignity and Securing of Rights.

Unit VIII: Regional and Local Movements

• Birsa Movement and the Jharkhand Movement.
• The Zeliangrong Movement in North East India.
• The Seng Khasi Movement in Meghalaya.
• Tribal Movements in Rajasthan.
• Tribal Movements in Andhra Pradesh.
• Bru Movements in Mizoram and Tripura.
• Any other regional movements.

Unit IX: Conclusion

Significance of Primal Religions in the contemporary Indian context.

Bibliography

Required Reading:

• Brown, David A. A Guide to Religions. Delhi: ISPCK, 1996.
• Daniel, P.S., D. Scott and G.R. Singh, eds. Religious Traditions of India. Delhi: ISPCK, 2001.
• Hinnels, John R., ed. A Handbook of Living Religions. London: Penguin Books, 1991.
• Lalrinawma, V.S. Major Faith Traditions of India. Delhi: ISPCK, 2007.

Supplementary Reading:

• Ao, Tajen. Christianity Versus Ao Nagas, Mokokchung: Tribal Gospel Mission Publishers, 1984.
• Bareh, Hamlet. The History and Culture of the Khasi People. Guwahati: Spectrum Publications, 1985.
• Behera, M.C. and S.K. Chandari (eds.), Indigenous Faith and Practices of the Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. Itanagar: Himalaya Publication, 1998.
• Bendangangshi & I.T. Apok Aier. The Religion of the Ao Nagas. Mokokchung: Bendangangshi, 1990.
• Bettis, J.D. (ed.). Phenomenology of Religion. New York: Harper and Row, 1969.
• Burnett, David. World of the Spirits: A Christian Perspective on Traditional and Folk Religions. Oxford: Monarch Books, 2000.
• Channa, S.M. (ed.). International Encyclopedia of Tribal Religion. New Delhi: Cosmo Publications, 2002.</li “`html
• Channa, S.M. Religion and Tribal Society. New Delhi: Cosmo Publications, 2002.
• Chaudhuri, A.B. State Formation among Tribals: A Quest for Santal Identity. New Delhi: Gyan Publishing House, 1993.
• Christie, Kenneth (ed). Ethnic Conflict: Tribal Politics, A Global Perspective. Richmond, Surrey: Curzon Press, 1998.
• Cox, James L. From Primitive to Indigenous: The Academic Study of Indigenous Religions. Hampshire: Ashgate Publishing Ltd., 2007.
• Das, S.T. Tribal Life of North-Eastern India: Habitat, Economy, Customs and Traditions. Delhi: Gian Publishing House, 1986.
• “Declaration on Zeliangrong Homeland”, A Pamphlet Issued by Zeliangrong People’s Convention, Tamenglong, 30 November 1982.
• De Sa, Fidelis. Crisis in Chhotnagpur. Bangalore: Redemptorist Publication, 1975.
• Desai, N.R. Peasant Struggle in India.
• Lalrinawma, V.S. Major Faith Traditions of India. Delhi: ISPCK, 2007.
• Moanungsang and Samuel Longkumer. A Reader in Primal Religious Traditions and Their Select Movements in India. ESPACE: Kolkata, 2012.
• Presler, H.H. Primitive Religions in India. Madras: ITI Publications, CLS, 1971.
• Nanlahlani, A. Study of Religious Identity among the Bru of Mizoram. Delhi: ISPCK, 2007.
• Victus, Solomon. Eco-Theology and Scriptures: A Revisit of Christian Responses. New Delhi: Christian World Imprints, 2014.

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