Hinduism and Popular Cults in Mauritius: Sacred Religion and Plantation Economy

Description

This book presents an original and comprehensive reading of the contemporary Mauritian society where Hinduism is practised by more than half of the population. It discusses themes such as the genesis of the Mauritian multicultural society; religious and cultural transformations; the cult of kalimai; the building of social relations and the birth of associations; and the link between Mauritian Hinduism and sugar plantation economy to highlight the interactions of the religious with the political economy of the nation. First of its kind, this book, with its rich ethnographic accounts, will be an essential read for scholars and researchers of religion, Hinduism, social anthropology, sociology, cultural studies, diaspora studies, sociology of religion and African studies. Cover Endorsement Page Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents List of Illustrations Preface Acknowledgements In Memoriam Introduction Chapter 1 Genesis of a Mauritian multicultural society Chapter 2 Observation of religious and cultural transformations Chapter 3 The Kalimais of Clémencia Chapter 4 The Kalimai of Beauvallon at Camp de Masque Pavé: The nurturing of social relations and the emergence of associations Chapter 5 The rituals observed at various kalimais Chapter 6 The Kalimais of Boutique Joseph and l’Unité: Contexts and differences Chapter 7 Development of villages and temples in the east: Social segmentations Glossary Bibliography Index