The Christians of Kerala: History, Belief, and Ritual Among the YakobaThis elegantly written book explores the practice of Christianity among the Yakoba in the small region of Kerala. Susan Viswanathan uses the categories of time, space, architecture, and the body as a means of identifying the ways in which Hindu, Christian, and Syrian strands have been woven together to form a rich cultural tapestry in the region. The Yakoba, on which this study is based, are divided into two distinct groups--the Orthodox Syrians and the Jacobite Syrians. Viswanathan relates their on-going quarrel over ecclesiastical jurisdiction and the ways in which this quarrel affects Syrian Christian life and experience as a whole. She argues that people's interpretations of Christianity are a very powerful mode of cultural expression and societal flexibility. |
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The Christians of Kerala: History, Belief and Ritual Among the Yakoba Susan Visvanathan No preview available - 1993 |
Common terms and phrases
Achen angadi Apostle Athanasius baptism Bawa becomes believe birth bishop blessed body bride brother calendar called candles Catholicos Catholicos's celebrated centre century ceremonial Cherya Palli child Christ church quarrel commemoration context court cross culture deacon death Divine Liturgy ecclesiastical Eucharist expresses father feast festivals gift given Hindu holy household husband Ibid important informant Jacobite Jesus Kerala Kottayam Kurisu Palli lamp Lent liturgy living Malabar Malankara Mar Thoma marriage Mary Matav mediation metran miracles missionaries mother myth narrative nature neighbourhood Noimba Orthodox Syrians particular Patriarch of Antioch Patriarch's party person pilgrims Portuguese pray prayers prelate Press priest Puthenangadi Qurbana Reformists relation relationship resurrection rice rite ritual role sacred sacrifice saints sense significance social songs soul spirit St Thomas stridhanam symbol Syrian Christians Syrian Church taravat Thomas the Apostle tirumeni traditional Travancore woman women Yakoba