Ritual servitudes and Christian social practices in Ghana : the hidden spaces of otherness in religion / David Stiles-Ocran.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Stiles-Ocran, David, author.

Series:

Religion, Resistance, Hospitalities

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Church and social problems--Ghana.

Church and social problems.

Christianity and other religions--African.

Christianity and other religions.

Christianity and culture--Ghana.

Christianity and culture.

Enslaved children--Ghana.

Enslaved children.

Abused children--Ghana.

Abused children.

Ghana--Religion.

Ghana.

Ghana--Religious life and customs.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (219 pages)

Place of Publication:

London, England ; New York, New York : Routledge, [2022]

Summary:

"The book explores the kinds of Christian service or diaconia that develop in non-institutionalized practices for supporting survivors of indigenous ritual servitude, or Trokosi in Africa. Drawing on empirical research from Ghana, it examines the possibilities of freedom, equality and dignity for liberated Trokosi and the manner in which these women's experiences constitute a repudiation of dominant patriarchal family systems. With close attention to the work of indigenous parachurches - which function outside of institutionalized churches - in challenging the contemporary practice of ritual slavery and offering its survivors a lived space in which they need not remain 'hidden' as they seek restoration and integration into wider society, Ritual Servitudes and Christian Social Practices in Ghana will appeal to scholars of sociology, theology and religion with interests in gender, contemporary ministries and African religion"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Cover

Half Title

Series Page

Title Page

Copyright Page

Contents

List of Figures

The Preamble

Introduction

PART I: Framework, Religion, and Theology

1. The Construction

2. Religion, Space, and Slavery in Context

3. History and Theology of Christian Social Ministry in Context

PART 2: Methods and Empirical Data

4. Diaconal Methodology: Entry and In-Field Research Experience

5. Narratives by Liberators, Gatekeepers, and Survivors of Ritual Servitudes

PART 3: Theories and Interpretations

6. The Theory of Heterotopia and the Trokosi Shrines as Sacred Spaces

7. Trokosi Women's Body-Spaces as Heterotopia: Spatial Deconstruction and Reconstruction

8. Liberating Heterotopic Diakonia: A Contextual Approach to Christian Social Practice

9. Free Indeed! Ritual Servitude and Christian Social Practice as Religion and Development Praxis

Index.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

1-00-326551-0

1-003-26551-0

1-000-77000-1

1-000-77002-8

9781003265511

OCLC:

1343946252