The Invention of God in Indigenous Societies

Indigenous societies around the world have been historically disparaged by European explorers, colonial officials and Christian missionaries. Nowhere was this more evident than in early descriptions of indigenous religions as savage, primitive, superstitious and fetishistic. Liberal intellectuals, both indigenous and colonial, reacted to this by claiming that, before indigenous peoples ever encountered Europeans, they all believed in a Supreme Being. The Invention of God in Indigenous Societies argues that, by alleging that God can be located at the core of pre-Christian cultures, this claim effectively invents a tradition which only makes sense theologically if God has never left himself without a witness. Examining a range of indigenous religions from North America, Africa and Australasia - the Shona of Zimbabwe, the'Rainbow Spirit Theology'in Australia, the Yupiit of Alaska, and the Māori of New Zealand – the book argues that the interests of indigenous societies are best served by carefully describing their religious beliefs and practices using historical and phenomenological methods – just as would be done in the study of any world religion. Indigenous Societies Around The World Have Been Historically Disparaged By European Explorers, Colonial Officials And Christian Missionaries. Nowhere Was This More Evident Than In Early Descriptions Of Indigenous Religions As Savage, Primitive, Superstitious And Fetishistic. Later Both Indigenous And Colonial Liberal Intellectuals Argued That, Before Indigenous Peoples Ever Encountered Europeans, They All Believed In A Supreme Being. The Invention Of God In Indigenous Socieities Refutes Both Approaches. The Books Argues That The Interests Of Indigenous Societies Are Best Served By Carefully Describing Their Religious Beliefs And Practices Using Historical And Phenomenological Methods, Just As Would Be Done In The Study Of Many World Religions. The Discussion Is Illustrated With A Wealth Of Case Material From Indigenous Peoples In North America, Africa And Australiasia : The Shona Of Zimbabwe, The Rainbow Spirit Theology In Australia, The Yupiit Of Alaska, And The Māori Of New Zealand. --from Back Jacket Cover. Introduction : Definitions, Terminology And The Invention Of Tradition -- The God Controversy In Pre-christian Indigenous Religions -- The Debate Over Io As The Pre-christian Māori Supreme Being -- Making Mwari Christian : The Case Of The Shona Of Zimbabwe -- The Rainbow-serpent In The Rainbow Spirit Theology -- Alaska : Ellam Yua, The Person Of The Universe -- Invention As Cultural Hybridity. James L. Cox. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 167-175) And Index. Indigenous Societies Around The World Have Been Historically Disparaged By European Explorers, Colonial Officials And Christian Missionaries. Nowhere Was This More Evident Than In Early Descriptions Of Indigenous Religions As Savage, Primitive, Superstitious And Fetishistic. Liberal Intellectuals, Both Indigenous And Colonial, Reacted To This By Claiming That, Before Indigenous Peoples Ever Encountered Europeans, They All Believed In A Supreme Being. The Invention Of God In Indigenous Societies Argues That, By Alleging That God Can Be Located At The Core Of Pre-christian Cultures, This Claim Effectively Invents A Tradition Which Only Makes Sense Theologically If God Has Never Left Himself Without A Witness. Examining A Range Of Indigenous Religions From North America, Africa And Australasia - The Shona Of Zimbabwe, The Rainbow Spirit Theology In Australia, The Yupiit Of Alaska, And The Mori Of New Zealand - The Book Argues That The Interests Of Indigenous Societies Are Best Served By Carefully Describing Their Religious Beliefs And Practices Using Historical And Phenomenological Methods - Just As Would Be Done In The Study Of Any World Religion. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Dedication 6 Table of Contents 8 Acknowledgements 10 Introduction: definitions, terminology and the "invention of tradition" 12 1. The "God controversy" in pre-Christian indigenous religions 22 2. The debate over Io as the pre-Christian Māori Supreme Being 46 3. Making Mwari Christian: the case of the Shona of Zimbabwe 78 4. The rainbow-serpent in the Rainbow Spirit Theology 100 5. Alaska: Ellam Yua, the person of the universe 124 6. Invention as cultural hybridity 148 Notes 174 Bibliography 178 Index 188