Anthropology of religion studies different religions in relation to other social institutions, religious beliefs and practices across different cultures. The focus of this paper is on the Dawoodi Bohra community and the religious beliefs and practices that set them apart and makes them a sub culture, in Karachi.
The Bohra community is a very important community in Karachi. The Dawoodi Bohras date back to Yemen during the Fatimid caliphate. Bohris are a sub-sect of the Shia community. The differences between the Shia and Sunnis arose after Imam Jafar as Sadiq. However, the title Dawoodi Bohra was given after the 27thdai Syedna Dawoob Bin Qutubshah. According to Bohri belief, there are twenty-one Imams, Imam Tayyab being is the most recent one. They also have fifty-three dais. Dai is the name given to the spiritual leader of the community. The last dai was his Holiness, Dr. Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin. The position taking of the position dai works such that during his lifetime the dai usually announces the person next in line for the authority. After Dr. Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin, the next person that will be given his place is Mufaddal. The dais have amils under them. There are four amils in Karachi, one for each area in which a huge chunck of the Bohra community resides. These areas include Hyderi, Clifton, Shabbirabad and Saddar.
According to Bohras belief, the touch of a dai is extremely holy and can cure people of diseases. This is known as barkat, the opium of the masses, as it gives them hope in miracles; that their poor conditions will be rewarded or their condition might even change. Thus, all the momineens and elitist of the community make sure that they can get as many benefits from the barakat as possible. The whole in...
... middle of paper ...
...ance to the religion of Islam, whereas, some of their practices and certain points in their everyday life are quite unique, be it the wearing of Rida, gathering in the Jamaat Khana for every occasion or eating together in thalis and having a tiffin service for their own community.
Works Cited
• V., Gennep (1960). The Rites of Passage. Trans. Manika B. Vizedom and Gabrielle L. Caffee. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
• ISLAM AND MODERNITY AMONG THE DAUDI BOHRAS by Jonah Blank
• Parmar, V., (2012, February 15).‘Community kitchen’ gives Bohra women freedom from cooking. The Times of India Magazine. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Community-kitchen-gives-Bohra-women-freedom-from-cooking/articleshow/11893123.cms
• (2012, May 14). Good News: Bohra Women get respite from cooking. News X Live India .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYC4YIX3KKI
Alexie, Sherman. The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian. Groningen [etc.: Noordhoff, 2011. Print.
Throughout history, family events that occur the same time from generation to generation are considered convictions or religions. Religions are developed from all areas of the world with specific guidelines and values to lead a balanced spiritual life. Included in the world of events is religion the primary foundation of the life of an individual. According to the textbook, all religions share the goal of reconciliation, tying people back to something behind the surface of life (Fisher, 2014). The purpose of this paper is to present the similarities and differences between the two religions, Daoism and Jainism. The cultural origin and geographical origin are also presented, along with the description of three (3) particular religious practices of both religions. The final instruction is provide an example of how the religions are practiced today in various locations of the world.
Alexie, S. (2007). The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. New York: Hachette Book Group, Inc.
This paper was written to give you a better idea of the presence and practices of Sikhism in Canada. It will also introduce you to the controversies they face being in a religion that is meant to differentiate, and how difficult that can be for them in a country with a strong western culture. First you will learn of the statistics and demographics of Sikh’s in Canada. Secondly, a bit of history will be introduced which will give a better idea of their culture. Thirdly, a better picture of their culture and religion will be painted when their common religious practices are described. Finally, the three largest controversies facing Sikh’s in Canada will be introduced and a brief description of them are given.
Alexie, Sherman. The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. New York: Hachette Book Group, 2007. Print.
Trix, F. 2006. Blessing cars: a Classical Sufi Play on Ritual in Immigrant America. Journal Of Ritual Studies 10(2) 109-129.
Kothari employs a mixture of narrative and description in her work to garner the reader’s emotional investment. The essay is presented in seventeen vignettes of differing lengths, a unique presentation that makes the reader feel like they are reading directly from Kothari’s journal. The writer places emphasis on both her description of food and resulting reaction as she describes her experiences visiting India with her parents: “Someone hands me a plate of aloo tikki, fried potato patties filled with mashed channa dal and served with a sweet and a sour chutney. The channa, mixed with hot chilies and spices, burns my tongue and throat” (Kothari). She also uses precise descriptions of herself: “I have inherited brown eyes, black hair, a long nose with a crooked bridge, and soft teeth
The article equips the reader with the tools needed to better understand other cultures, in terms of their own beliefs and rituals. Miner’s original approach does create a certain level of confusion that forces the reader to critically evaluate his purpose. “Body Ritual among the Nacirema” by Horace Miner ultimately brings people together, by illuminating the eccentricities present in all
Making up the two largest religions in the world, Christianity and Islam, both look at marriage as a major part of one’s life journey. Thus the idea that the sacred ritual of marriage in both Christianity and Islam are full of rich symbolism, ceremony and grounded in religious and cultural traditions, can be explored. However, the ritual of marriage differentiates between Christianity and Islam, as Christianity is founded on deep symbolic meaning and religious tradition in contrast to the culturally rich marriage ceremony found in Islam. This can be further investigated through an in depth analysis of the ceremony, symbols, religious and cultural traditions involved in the ritual of marriage.
In this essay, I will explore the religious experience in general and some of its variations around the world. The focus will be on the types of religious beliefs and religious leaders, especially in small-scale societies. An exploration of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, or any other major religion is beyond the scope of this essay. The approach taken is that of cultural relativity--religious practices or beliefs are not evaluated in terms of their "correctness" or "sophistication" but, rather, in terms of their function within the societies that have them.
Qazi, Abdullah. "Plight of the Afghan Women". Afghanistan Online. 30 May 2005. 13 Mar 2006. .
With 1.5 billion followers worldwide, the religion of Islam is the second most popular religion over the entire globe, and follows a strict set of rules derived from the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, a messenger of God, or Allah. Founded in 622 C.E. (also known as A.D.) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Islam is a strictly monotheistic religion that drew inspiration from earlier religions like Christianity and Judaism. It is divided into three different sections- the Sunni, Shi’a and Sufi sects. The Qur’an is the holy book of Islam, and is considered the unaltered word of Allah. All followers of Islam adhere to many high standards of living and daily practices meant to better their lives like The Twelve Imams, among others. Islam brings together many different aspects of peaceful and devoted living that bring together the billions of followers to one family.
McLeod, W. H. (2004). Sikhs and Sikhism. Oxford India paperbacks. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Pandey, T. N., 2014. Lecture 1/9/14: Culture of India: Aryan and Indigenous Population. Cultures of India. U.C. Santa Cruz.
Kenneth Jost. 2005. “Understanding Islam.” Annual Editions: Anthropology 11/12, 34th Edition. Elvio Angeloni. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.