...a much-needed volume on a neglected topic that is of great interest to scholars of women; slavery; and African American history. - Drew Faust. Gender was a decisive force in shaping slave society. Slave men's experiences differed from those of slave women; who were exploited both in reproductive as well as productive capacities. The women did not figure prominently in revolts; because they engaged in less confrontational resistance; emphasizing creative struggle to survive dehumanization and abuse. The contributors are Hilary Beckles; Barbara Bush; Cheryl Ann Cody; David Barry Gaspar; David P. Geggus; Virginia Meacham Gould; Mary Karasch; Wilma King; Bernard Moitt; Celia E. Naylor-Ojurongbe; Robert A. Olwell; Claire Robertson; Robert W. Slenes; Susan M. Socolow; Richard H. Steckel; and Brenda E. Stevenson.
#656096 in Books 2006-04-26 2006-04-26Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x .92 x 6.12l; .95 #File Name: 0253218373320 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great Cultural ReadBy Kylie HewittCame on time and in the condition the company said it was in."In Amma's Healing Room" was an extremely interesting look at cross-religious healing. There were some slow spots of the book but I really enjoyed reading it in my Cultures of South Asia anthropology course.7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Valuable Ethnography of Gender in Islam; Healing and PerformanceBy The Light FantasticSince there is only one review at the moment; a slightly negative one; I felt the need to write a more balanced review of this very interesting book."In Amma's Healing Room" is an ethnography centered around a Muslim spiritual healer in Hyderabad; India; referred to as "Amma" (mother); and her "healing room;" or the room of her house where she sets up her healing practice and sees patients. Although the book is an academic; scholarly work that will be of primary interest to scholars interested in anthropology and south asian studies; it is written in a clear and fluid (jargon-free) style that makes it easily accessible to non-scholars as well. Those interested in Sufism may find the book particularly interesting; as Amma and her family are Sufis and her husband (Abba) is a "pir" or Sufi teacher. One of the many strengths of the book is its description of practices that take place around the periphery of what might generally be presented as the core of Sufism.Another strength of the book is Prof Flueckiger's evident respect for Amma; her healing system; her clients; and the cultural and religious milieu. She does not resort to some of the more common models sometimes used in anthropology to "explain" the effects of religious healing rituals through cultural; symbolic and cognitive models. Rather; she attends to the performative aspects of Amma's healing practices and narratives; and to the connection Amma establishes with her patients; in discussing how Amma's healing "works."The book is engaging throughout; and scholars and students interested in gender in Islam; feminist ethnography; and performance studies will find it of particular interest.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy sikudhaniLively and evocative; very readable ethnography for students in anthropology of religion courses.
