Theories of religion and the Great Xhosa Cattle-Killing Movement of 1856-1857

Brumer, Leah

Theories of religion and the Great Xhosa Cattle-Killing Movement of 1856-1857

Thesis / Dissertation

2009

Abstract

In the study of religion, a variety of definitions of religion have been presented. These numerous definitions or theories are often divergent in focus, aim and interpretation. This can be problematic, as these definitions or theories often speak to a specific end-goal and quite clearly ignore, or fail to address, the multi-faceted issues that arise with the engagement of this endeavor. In the study of a religious event, in particular, these individual theories prove inadequate in illuminating the many varying factors that often contribute to the event's emergence. This work will address this problem and further propose that in fact many theories, or "intertheoriality" is necessary in order to more fully and comprehensively understand the manifestation of such an event. Different theories of religion and socio-religious movement theory, both classic and contemporary, will be employed in order to demonstrate that no one single definition or theory of religion is adequate in elucidating the numerous factors at play in relation to a specific religious event. Theories from Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, Karl Marx, Mircea Eliade, and David Chidester, as well as a selection of socio-religious movement theories, will be used to explain the Great Xhosa Cattle-Killing Movement of 1856-1857.

Keywords

Religious Studies

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