Varieties of Javanese Religion: An Anthropological Account (Cambridge Studies in Social and Cultural Anthropology, Series Number 111)

Cambridge Studies in Social Anthropology #111

by Andrew Beatty

Java is famous for its combination of diverse cultural forms and religious beliefs. In this most comprehensive study of Javanese religion since Clifford Geertz's classic study, Andrew Beatty considers Javanese solutions to problems of cultural difference, and how villagers make sense of their complex, multi-layered culture. Pantheist mystics, supernaturalists, orthodox Muslims and Hindu converts at once construct contrasting faiths and create a common ground through syncretist ritual. Vividly evoking the local religious life, this book probes beyond the surface of ritual and cosmology, revealing the compromise inherent in practical religion.

272 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 1995

Reviews

[Anjar Priandoyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anthropology

I, Indonesian, read this book "carefully" to solved my problem in the office. I agree with the quotes "sociology, oh you mean anthropology of white people" approach. As I learn to understand the meeting -especially in large scale complex one- tend to have anthropological approach than sociological approach. In a sense that qualitatitive approach individual behavior observation is prefered than group behavior.

Zoom meeting (as this written in pandemic) for example, is treated as The Slametan (in Chapter 2), the spirit is agreeing to differ. There is no way, Indonesian make decision in the Slametan. Slametan's purpose, the same like meeting is to agreeing that all parties involved have different approach to the sociological construction of society. Somehow a scapegoat is always be found and get rid in the slametan, without blaming somebody.

Its also interesting that classification of Abangan, Santri and Priyayi is also applied in modern organization. The project owner is Priyayi (a warrior), a peasant is divided by Santri (dogmatic) and Abangan (antidogmatic) which always conflicting. Unlike the feudal society where conflict is at the top layer (warrior/aristocrat vs clergy aka violence vs non violence), where the peasant at bottom layer has no choice. The javanese society's conflict is at the bottom (dogmatic vs antidogmatic).

Interesting that science approach of solving problem by contrasting two different situation is might effectively solve the problem -not directly but it works. Overall great book.

Varieties of Javanese Religion (Andrew Beatty 1999)

[Keith Walfson]

This is an excellent book, highly recommended for anyone in the business of writign software. It contains a huge amount of distilled wisdom.