Women of the Sacred Groves
Author | : Susan Starr Sered |
Publisher | : Oxford University Press, USA |
Total Pages | : 315 |
Release | : 1999 |
ISBN-10 | : 9780195124866 |
ISBN-13 | : 0195124863 |
Rating | : 4/5 (66 Downloads) |
Download or read book Women of the Sacred Groves written by Susan Starr Sered and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 1999 with total page 315 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Although most historical and contemporary religions are governed by men, there are, scattered throughout the world, a handful of well-documented religions led by women. Most of these are marginal, subordinate, or secondary religions in the societies in which they are located. The one known exception to this rule is the indigenous religion of Okinawa, where women lead the official mainstream religion of the society. In this fieldwork-based study, Susan Sered provides the first; in-depth look at this unique religious tradition, exploring the intersection between religion and gender. In addition to providing important information on this remarkable and little-studied group, this book helps to overturn our mostly unexamined assumptions that male dominance of the religious sphere is; universal, axiomatic, and necessary.