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Faith and Revivalism in a Nordic Romani Community: Pentecostalism Amongst the Kaale Roma of Sweden and Finland
Author(s): David Thurfjell (Author)
- Publisher: Tauris Academic Studies
- Publication Date: 30 Mar. 2013
- Language: English
- Print length: 224 pages
- ISBN-10: 1848859287
- ISBN-13: 9781848859289
Book Description
A Pentecostal revival is sweeping the Romani communities of Europe. The dominant religious orientation of European Roma, Pentecostalism has become one of the major factors behind Romani social development in the wake of the discrimination, marginalisation, and growing anti-ziganist sentiments of the latest decades. Through this form of charismatic Protestant Christianity, Roma have overcome social problems and internal conflicts as well as battle against the hostility and exclusion of the macro gajo (non-Roma) society. Based on interviews and field work, this original ethnographic study offers a unique presentation and analysis of the Pentecostal revival in one of Europe s many Romani communities – the Kaale Roma of Finland and Sweden. Through individual life stories, historical exposés, sociological interpretation, and ritual and discourse analysis, Thurfjell provides a vivid, accurate portrait of the multifaceted and complex situation of contemporary Roma. This study of the Pentecostal movement is of interest to anyone who seeks to understand the religious, historical, social and discursive processes that underlie the complex and difficult situation of European Roma today.
Editorial Reviews
Review
Thurfjell is a very sensitive observer who does not only co-live his informants lives with deep empathy but also is able to transfer his observations into a remarkably structured and well-written text. His descriptions and analyses are very vivid and even touching at times. All in all, this study could be used as a prime example of how to do ethnography. –Tuula Sakaranaho, Professor in the study of Religion, University of Helsinki
About the Author
David Thurfjell is Associate Professor in the Study of Religions at Södertörn University, Stockholm. He is the author of Living Shi ism: Instances of Ritualisation Among Islamist Men in Contemporary Iran (2006).
