Diversities and Identities_Religion and religious (1).pdf (original) (raw)

“Religion and Diaspora.” Religion and Society 3 (1): 95-114

Diaspora, and with it 'diasporic religion', has exploded as an area of research in the field of Religion, opening important paths of inquiry and analysis. This article traces the itineraries and intersections of Diaspora and Religion over the last two decades, especially vis-à-vis groups that activate multiple diasporic horizons. It then evaluates the risks of the overdispersion of Diaspora. To counter this, the article recommends more narrowly circumscribing Diasporic Religion in relation to 'territory' , while at the same time rendering the question of what territoriality means more complex and diverse.

ROUTLEDGE HANDBOOK OF THE SOUTH ASIAN DIASPORA ‘Ritual, Religion and Aesthetics in the Pakistani and South Asian Diaspora,’ in David Washbrook and Joya Chatterjee (eds) Handbook of the South Asian Diaspora. London: Routledge

is among the world's largest and most widespread, and it is growing exponentially. It is estimated that over 25 million persons of Indian descent live abroad; and many millions more have roots in other countries of the subcontinent, in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. There are 3 million South Asians in the UK and approximately the same number resides in North America. South Asians are an extremely signifi cant presence in Southeast Asia and Africa, and increasingly visible in the Middle East. This interdisciplinary Handbook on the South Asian diaspora brings together contributions by leading scholars and rising stars on different aspects of its history, anthropology and geography, as well as its contemporary political and sociocultural implications. The Handbook is split into fi ve main parts, with chapters looking at mobile South Asians in the early modern world before moving on to discuss diaspora in relation to empire, nation, nation state and the neighbourhood, and globalisation and culture. Contributors highlight how South Asian diaspora has infl uenced politics, business, labour, marriage, family and culture. This much-needed and pioneering venture provides an invaluable reference work for students, scholars and policy makers interested in South Asian Studies.