Religion and Identity in the Indian Ocean World - (Hardcover)

About the Book

Examines the impact of six major religious traditions-Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism-on societies across the region, particularly as they relate to migration

Book Synopsis

This is a ground-breaking volume on the role of religion as a major force of cohesion across the Indian Ocean region.

A diverse range of experts present a case for conceptualizing religion as an enabler of not only shared religious identities throughout the Indian Ocean world, but multiple shared identities mediated through religion, particularly as religion intersects with other manifestations of human society in this part of the world. This theme is explored through six major religious traditions, many of which originated in the Indian Ocean region, and all of which have played major roles throughout its history and to the present day. These traditions include Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. With this breadth and coverage of these traditions and their role in unifying communities from East Africa to Western Australia (including those belonging to nations north of that expanse of ocean), this book is a pioneering work on the multi-religious identities of the region.

Review Quotes

Religion and Identity in the Indian Ocean World is the rare sort of book that makes you rethink your view of world history. Time and again, this richly informative collection of case studies draws unexpected (but thoroughly convincing) connections and parallels between the extraordinarily diverse societies of this ocean world. The book is admirably ambitious in terms of its vast geographical scope, and the broad range of faith traditions that it encompasses. It is difficult to imagine a scholar so erudite that they would not learn much new and surprising from this book.
Philip Jenkins, Distinguished Professor of History, Institute for Studies of Religion, Baylor University, USA

This remarkably comprehensive collection of case studies reveals the intricately interwoven fabric of religions and identities that characterize the Indian Ocean world from East Africa to the Himalayas and beyond India to Australia. The kaleidoscopic histories of Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist merchants, missionaries, warriors, colonizers, immigrants, and tourists are vividly depicted in ancient, medieval, and modern settings. Lucidly written, it will capture the interest of the general reader and specialist alike.
Juan E. Campo, Associate Professor of Islamic Studies and the History of Religions, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA

This thoughtful, multidisciplinary volume vividly traces the complex relationships between belief, belonging, and movement across one of the most religiously diverse regions in the world. Anchored in the lived experience of varied faith communities across the Indian Ocean-Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain-it redefines the region not just as a site of commerce, but as a maritime crucible of religious creativity, diasporic connection, and historical transformation. This is an invaluable resource for scholars working on religion in motion and offers a compelling case for further theorizing the oceanic as a religious category.
Sebastian R. Prange, Associate Professor of South Asian History, University of British Columbia, Canada; author of Monsoon Islam

About the Author

Mark Fielding is Senior Lecturer in Education at Sheridan Institute of Higher Education, Australia and Director of the Indian Ocean Research Centre.
Joshua Esler is a researcher and Senior Lecturer in Asian Studies at Sheridan Institute of Higher Education and Director of the Indian Ocean Research Centre. He is also Senior Research Fellow at the Indo-Pacific Research Centre, Murdoch University, Australia.