Religious syncretism in India’s Northeast: a case of the Heraka

This paper examines religious syncretism in India’s Northeast with reference to reformed Heraka. It is perceived, contact of different cultural practices enforces natives to reinterpret and redefined beliefs and practices in conformation to appropriated culture. Historically, birth of Heraka was roo...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Atungbou, N (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Sage Publ. 2024
In: Journal of Asian and African studies
Year: 2024, Volume: 59, Issue: 4, Pages: 1323-1335
Further subjects:B Heraka
B Einflussgröße
B Colonialism
B Religion
B Zeme
B Politics
B History
B Revivalism
B Syncretism
B Paupaise
B India
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
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Summary:This paper examines religious syncretism in India’s Northeast with reference to reformed Heraka. It is perceived, contact of different cultural practices enforces natives to reinterpret and redefined beliefs and practices in conformation to appropriated culture. Historically, birth of Heraka was rooted in resistance against the British occupation, Christian proselytisation and intrusion of other neighbouring communities. To retain indigenous religious practices, reformation took its turn with introduction of new set of rules. In the flow, Heraka appropriated temple, idol and pilgrimage culture into its fold, and scrutinised Christian proselytisation under its radar. In its essence, Heraka is the by-product of Paupai-tenase, Christianity and Hinduism. This paper assesses through constructivist paradigm on how Heraka is perceived to be or not to be of indigenous religion. It is argued that there is a dilution in claim reformed religion, though, has reformed old practices, but with amalgamation in the construction of syncretic religious identity.
ISSN:1745-2538
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of Asian and African studies
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1177/00219096221131995