The Walking Qur'an

Islamic Education, Embodied Knowledge, and History in West Africa

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Middle East Religions, Koran, History, Africa
Cover of the book The Walking Qur'an by Rudolph T. Ware, The University of North Carolina Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Rudolph T. Ware ISBN: 9781469614328
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press Publication: June 16, 2014
Imprint: The University of North Carolina Press Language: English
Author: Rudolph T. Ware
ISBN: 9781469614328
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Publication: June 16, 2014
Imprint: The University of North Carolina Press
Language: English

Spanning a thousand years of history--and bringing the story to the present through ethnographic fieldwork in Senegal, Gambia, and Mauritania--Rudolph Ware documents the profound significance of Qur'an schools for West African Muslim communities. Such schools peacefully brought Islam to much of the region, becoming striking symbols of Muslim identity. Ware shows how in Senegambia the schools became powerful channels for African resistance during the eras of the slave trade and colonization. While illuminating the past, Ware also makes signal contributions to understanding contemporary Islam by demonstrating how the schools' epistemology of embodiment gives expression to classical Islamic frameworks of learning and knowledge.

Today, many Muslims and non-Muslims find West African methods of Qur'an schooling puzzling and controversial. In fascinating detail, Ware introduces these practices from the viewpoint of the practitioners, explicating their emphasis on educating the whole human being as if to remake it as a living replica of the Qur'an. From this perspective, the transference of knowledge in core texts and rituals is literally embodied in people, helping shape them--like the Prophet of Islam--into vital bearers of the word of God.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Spanning a thousand years of history--and bringing the story to the present through ethnographic fieldwork in Senegal, Gambia, and Mauritania--Rudolph Ware documents the profound significance of Qur'an schools for West African Muslim communities. Such schools peacefully brought Islam to much of the region, becoming striking symbols of Muslim identity. Ware shows how in Senegambia the schools became powerful channels for African resistance during the eras of the slave trade and colonization. While illuminating the past, Ware also makes signal contributions to understanding contemporary Islam by demonstrating how the schools' epistemology of embodiment gives expression to classical Islamic frameworks of learning and knowledge.

Today, many Muslims and non-Muslims find West African methods of Qur'an schooling puzzling and controversial. In fascinating detail, Ware introduces these practices from the viewpoint of the practitioners, explicating their emphasis on educating the whole human being as if to remake it as a living replica of the Qur'an. From this perspective, the transference of knowledge in core texts and rituals is literally embodied in people, helping shape them--like the Prophet of Islam--into vital bearers of the word of God.

More books from The University of North Carolina Press

Cover of the book From the Fallen Tree by Rudolph T. Ware
Cover of the book Nation and Citizen in the Dominican Republic, 1880-1916 by Rudolph T. Ware
Cover of the book Root and Branch by Rudolph T. Ware
Cover of the book Telling Lies in Modern American Autobiography by Rudolph T. Ware
Cover of the book Black Newspapers and America's War for Democracy, 1914-1920 by Rudolph T. Ware
Cover of the book Little Rivers and Waterway Tales by Rudolph T. Ware
Cover of the book Econocide by Rudolph T. Ware
Cover of the book Time before History by Rudolph T. Ware
Cover of the book A Paul Green Reader by Rudolph T. Ware
Cover of the book Religion, Art, and Money by Rudolph T. Ware
Cover of the book Visions of Freedom by Rudolph T. Ware
Cover of the book From Welfare to Workfare by Rudolph T. Ware
Cover of the book Seeds of Empire by Rudolph T. Ware
Cover of the book The Free Negro in North Carolina, 1790-1860 by Rudolph T. Ware
Cover of the book Why Rural Schools Matter by Rudolph T. Ware
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy