Although over eighty percent of the country is Muslim, Indonesia is marked by an extraordinary diversity in language, ancestry, culture, religion and ways of life. This book focuses on the Christian Dani of West Papua, providing a social and ethnographic history of the most important indigenous population in the troubled province. It presents a fascinating overview of the Dani's conversion to Christianity, examining the social, religious and political uses to which they have put their new religion.

Based on independent research carried out over many years among the Dani people, the book provides an abundance of new material on religious and political events in West Papua. Underlining the heart of Christian-Muslim rivalries, the book questions the fate of religion in late-modern times.

About the Author

Charles E. Farhadian is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Westmont College, Santa Barbara, California. He holds a masters degree from Yale University and a PhD from Boston University. His research interests and publications have addressed Indonesia, Christianity, Islam, the politics of cultural identity, and the relationship between religions and cultures. He is currently completing a comparative project on Christianity, cultures, and worship worldwide.

Book Information
ISBN 9780415546690
Author Charles E. Farhadian
Format Paperback
Page Count 256
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 470g