Encyclopedia of Religious Rites, Rituals, and Festivals

Edited by Frank Salamone

Price: $165.00

ISBN: 978-0-415-94180-8
Binding: Hardback
Published by: Routledge
Publication Date: 25th June 2004
Pages: 504

About the Book

The sixth volume in the acclaimed Religion and Society series, the Encyclopedia of Religious Rites, Rituals, and Festivals examines religious beliefs expressed through ritualized behavior and festivals. Exploring expressions of faith across cultures and religions throughout the world, the 120-plus entries in this fascinating resource fall into five general categories:

general concepts and ideas – such as communitas, inversion, purity and pollution, and pilgrimage
major forms of rituals and festivals – such as rites of passage, devotional rites, sacrifice, calendrical rites, carnival, rites of conflict, and fasting
religious rites and festivals of major religions and cultural regions. Entries discuss variation within the religion/culture/region
life cycle rites including those associated with birth, coming of age, marriage, and death
specific rites and festivals – such as Easter, Christmas, Passover, Ramadan, potlatch, Ghost Dance, kava rituals, and snake handling.

With a generous complement of illustrations, and a variety of engaging sidebars throughout, this is a key resource for students at undergraduate and high school levels, as well as general readers.

Reviews

'A wonderful new addition ... An excellent introduction ... Accessible and wide-ranging ... Students of history, anthropology, and literature will find this accessible work an excellent resource for broadening their research. Students of religion will find it a superb starting place for their studies. Everyone else will find here much to remind us of the beauty of our differences and the striking harmonies of all our lives. For all public and academic libraries.' – Library Journal

'Contains an interesting combination of religious and anthropological information ... Noteworthy is the inclusion of rituals and religious traditions less well known.' – Booklist/RBB (starred review)

'A sociologically relevant discussion.' – School Library Journal

'Offers strong multidisciplinary and global approaches ... Suitable for all levels of scholars ... The index is excellent ... Highly recommended.' – Choice

'Articles are extensive ... Comprehensive index.' – TD Book Survey