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Essays on Ismaili Hymns: Celebrating Zawahir Moir

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Journal name: Archives De Sciences Sociales Des Religions
Original article title: Tazim R. Kassam, Franテァoise Mallison, (テゥds.), Ginト]s, Texts and Contexts. Essays on Ismaili Hymns from South Asia in Honour of Zawahir Moir
The journal 窶廣rchives of Social Sciences of Religions窶� publishes advanced research on religion in French, English, and Spanish. It studies the sociology of religions and religious traditions or theologies. It is supported by the INSHS-CNRS (窶廬nstitut des Sciences Humaines et Sociales窶�)
This page presents a generated summary with additional references; See source (below) for actual content.
Subtitle: New Delhi, Matrix Publishing, 2007, xxvi + 225 p.

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This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated hence you should visit the source to read the original article which includes the author, publication date, notes and references.

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Andrテゥ Padoux


Archives De Sciences Sociales Des Religions:

(Founded in 1956 and published quarterly窶�)

Full text available for: Tazim R. Kassam, Franテァoise Mallison, (テゥds.), Ginト]s, Texts and Contexts. Essays on Ismaili Hymns from South Asia in Honour of Zawahir Moir

Year: 2008 | Doi: 10.4000/assr.19353

Copyright (license): ツゥ Archives de sciences sociales des religions


Summary of article contents:

Introduction

The volume titled Ginト]s, Texts and Contexts edited by Tazim R. Kassam and Franテァoise Mallison, consists of essays focused on the study of Ginト]s, which are religious hymns of the Ismaili Khoja community in South Asia. The collection emerged from discussions held in France in 2001 and aims to illuminate the significance of these devotional texts that originated among the Satpanthi, a sect of Nizari Ismailis who settled in the region of Sind (modern-day Pakistan and parts of India) as early as the 10th century. Despite their devotional nature and rich cultural context, Ginト]s have been relatively understudied, highlighting the need for deeper exploration of their role in the intricate tapestry of Indian religious life.

Syncretism between Hinduism and Islam in Ginト]s

One of the critical concepts explored in the essays is the syncretic relationship between Ginト]s and surrounding Hindu beliefs. The term 'ginト],' derived from the Sanskrit word ツ眦アト蟯ヤイケ, suggests an inherent blend of Islamic and Hindu elements within these texts. The contributions reveal how these hymns have historically incorporated vivid aspects of local Hindu culture and mythology, even as they express Islamic spiritual themes. Scholars discuss the dynamics of this blend, questioning whether the incorporation of non-Islamic elements was a deliberate strategy for conversion or a natural outcome of cultural interchange. The essays highlight instances of borrowing from Hindu mythology, as seen in references to deities and narratives familiar to practitioners of Hinduism, reflecting the complex identities of the Ismaili Khojas and the transformative nature of their religious expression.

Conclusion

The rich tapestry of thought and literary expression within the Ginト]s is valuable not only for understanding the Ismaili tradition but also for appreciating the broader socio-religious context of India. As indicated by the scholarly efforts compiled in this volume, the Ginト]s embody a significant legacy that deserves greater recognition and study. The contributions presented by various authors, many of whom are members of the Ismaili community, provide a nuanced perspective that bridges personal belief with academic inquiry. The inclusion of a musical CD further enriches this exploration, underlining the enchanting interplay of faith, culture, and art within the community's religious practices, thus ensuring that the Ginト]s are recognized for their profound contribution to the Indian spiritual landscape.

FAQ section (important questions/answers):

What are Ginト]s and their significance in Ismaili traditions?

Ginト]s are devotional hymns of the Ismaili Khoja community, combining Islamic and Hindu elements. They hold cultural and spiritual significance, representing a unique fusion of religious beliefs and practices since their emergence in the 10th century.

How did the Ginト]s contribute to the identity of Ismailis in India?

Ginト]s have played a crucial role in shaping the Khoja community's identity, serving as a link between Hinduism and Sufism. Their significance evolved from the 19th century, reflecting social and political changes in India.

What themes are explored in the essays of the book?

The essays explore various themes including textual analysis, historical interactions between Ismailism and Hinduism, and the philosophical implications of Ginト]s. They also address the musical aspects and the lived experiences of the Ismaili faith.

Glossary definitions and references:

Theological and religious glossary list for 窶廢ssays on Ismaili Hymns: Celebrating Zawahir Moir窶�. The list explains important keywords that occur in this and other scholarly articles. It is also linked to the glossary for understanding that concept in the context of History, Religion, Philosophy, Theology, Sociology etc.

1) Indian:
The term 'Indian' refers to anything related to India, encompassing its diverse cultures, languages, and traditions, particularly those found in historical contexts like the Ismaili Khoja community's adaptation to local customs and beliefs, such as Hinduism.

2) India:
India is a South Asian country known for its rich cultural history and religious diversity, including the significant presence of Ismaili Muslims in regions like Gujarat and Sindh, which is reflected in the literary works such as the Ginト]s.

3) Khan:
The surname 'Khan' is linked to various leaders, including the Aga Khan, whose influence extended to the governance and spiritual leadership of the Ismaili community in India, thereby shaping their identity.

4) Religion:
Religion encompasses systems of beliefs and practices, as demonstrated by the Ismaili Khoja community's integration of Islam with local traditions, particularly Hinduism, influencing their rituals and literature.

5) Identity:
Identity in this context refers to the Ismaili Khojas窶� sense of self shaped by historical, spiritual, and cultural influences, particularly as they navigated their status between Hinduism and Islam in areas like Western India.

6) Khoja:
Khoja refers to the Ismaili community, particularly the Satpanthi sect in South Asia, whose religious expressions and cultural practices are deeply intertwined with local traditions, specifically within the Indian subcontinent.

7) New Delhi:
New Delhi, as the capital of India, represents a modern center for political and cultural activity, where academic discussions on subjects like Ismaili religions and their literature frequently occur.

8) Literature:
Literature, particularly the Ginト]s, encompasses the sacred texts and hymns of the Ismaili community, merging poetic and religious elements while reflecting their cultural heritage in languages like Gujarati and Hindi.

9) Hinduism:
Hinduism is a major world religion originating from India, significantly influencing the Ismaili Khojas窶� Ginト]s, which often incorporate Hindu mythological elements and themes in their spiritual expressions.

10) Delhi:
Delhi is a historical and contemporary cultural hub in India, critical in the studies concerning the Ginト]s and their creators, and serving as a point for scholarly discourse on Ismaili literature.

11) Western India:
Western India includes regions like Gujarat and Sindh, where the Ismaili Khoja community has thrived, producing literary forms such as Ginト]s that reflect a unique blend of local religious practices.

12) Spiritual:
Spiritual refers to matters of the soul or religious essence, which the Ginト]s encapsulate as they articulate the beliefs and practices of the Ismaili Khoja community in a way that merges local traditions.

13) Branch (Branches):
Branch in this context describes the various subdivisions within Islam, particularly the Nizari Ismailis, who have established distinct practices and interpretations of faith in Indian contexts.

14) Nature:
Nature pertains to the characteristics and cultural expressions of the Ginト]s, revealing their development as sacred texts within the dynamic interplay of Ismaili Muslim beliefs and the surrounding Hindu culture.

15) Shila (Sila):
[see source text or glossary: #Sila#]

16) Communication (Communicating, Communicate, Communicated):
[see source text or glossary: #Communication#]

17) Transmission:
Transmission refers to the way the Ginト]s have been passed down through generations, initially orally before their writing, significantly shaping the Khoja community's religious literacy and cultural preservation.

18) Mahabharata (Maha-bharata):
The イムイケウト蟯ウト蟆イケウルイケ is an ancient Indian epic that influences many cultural narratives across the subcontinent, including those seen in certain Ginト]s where its characters appear in spiritual discourses.

19) Incarnation:
Incarnation in a religious context, as seen in the Ginト]s, refers to the belief in deities manifesting in various forms, such as Krishna or Vishnu, which reflect local Hindu influences found within the Ismaili texts.

20) Untouchable:
Untouchable historically refers to those marginalized in the Hindu caste system, highlighting the complex interplay of social identities within the Ismaili Khoja community's practices and how they relate to Hindu traditions.

21) Perception:
[see source text or glossary: #Perception#]

22) Experience:
Experience relates to the personal encounter with the sacred as expressed in the Ginト]s, where hymns articulate the spiritual journey and identity of Ismaili individuals amidst their cultural contexts.

23) Knowledge:
Knowledge, rooted in the term 'ツ眦アト蟯ヤイケ,' emphasizes the importance of understanding and wisdom in the Ginト]s, which aim to impart spiritual teachings to the Ismaili Khojas.

24) Evolution:
Evolution encompasses the changes and adaptations in the Ismaili Khoja community's religious practices over time, especially as their literature interacts with surrounding traditions and responds to socio-political contexts.

25) Existence:
[see source text or glossary: #Existence#]

26) Gujarati:
Gujarati refers to the language spoken in the Indian state of Gujarat, where many of the Ginト]s are written, illustrating the local linguistic heritage and cultural expressions of the Ismaili community.

27) Pandavas:
The Pandavas are heroic figures from the イムイケウト蟯ウト蟆イケウルイケ whose narratives intersect with certain Ginト]s, demonstrating the blending of Hindu mythology within Ismaili hymns.

28) Creation:
[see source text or glossary: #Creation#]

29) Language:
Language highlights the diverse tongues used in composing Ginト]s, reflecting the cultural milieu of the Ismaili Khoja community and their interactions with local and historical influences.

30) Musician:
Musician refers to individuals who perform music, including the professional musicians who sing Ginト]s, highlighting the performative aspect of this literary genre.

31) Sanskrit:
Sanskrit, the classical language of India, underlies many religious and philosophical texts, contributing to the cultural and linguistic depth of the Ginト]s and their connection to Hindu thought.

32) Pakistan:
Pakistan, particularly the Sind region, is historically significant for the Ismaili Khoja community, where they established their roots, influencing their religious expressions and interactions with local cultures.

33) Avatara (Avatar):
エ。アケイケウルト蟆イケ refers to the earthly incarnations of deities in Hinduism, seen in the Ginト]s as contributing to the community's spiritual narratives alongside Islamic themes.

34) Pandava (Pamdava):
[see source text or glossary: #Pandava#]

35) Gujarat:
Gujarat is a state in India where the Ismaili Khoja community has developed its religious and cultural identity, prominently reflected in the Ginト]s and their incorporation of local elements.

36) Bhakti:
Bhakti represents a devotional form of worship found in many Indian religions, including the Ginト]s, which express deep spiritual feelings towards God and exemplify popular religious practices.

37) Buddha:
The Buddha, as a significant figure in Buddhism, reflects the inter-religious dialogues present in the Ginト]s, underscoring the syncretic nature of Ismaili beliefs intertwined with local spiritual traditions.

38) Amrita (Amrta):
[see source text or glossary: #Amrita#]

39) Vishnu (Visnu):
Vishnu, a principal deity in Hinduism, features in the Ginト]s as part of the rich tapestry of local and religious symbolism that reflects the blended cultural heritage of the Ismaili community.

40) Samira (Shamira):
[see source text or glossary: #Samira#]

41) Sindhi (Sindh, Shindhi):
Sindh, a historical region in Pakistan, is significant for its connections to the Ismaili Khoja community and the production of Ginト] texts integrating local culture and spirituality.

42) Bombay:
Bombay, now known as Mumbai, is crucial in the historical narrative of the Ismaili community, particularly after the arrival of the Aga Khan, which bolstered their presence and recognition.

43) Debate:
Debate in this context refers to the scholarly discussions surrounding the interpretation and evolution of the Ginト]s, which reflect broader questions about cultural identity and religious practice.

44) Secret (Secrecy, Secretly):
Secret denotes the historically concealed nature of some Ginト] texts, reflecting the social dynamics of the Ismaili community regarding their identity and expressions of faith.

45) Mohan:
[see source text or glossary: #Mohan#]

46) Jnana:
エウテアト蟯ヤイケ, deriving from Sanskrit, means knowledge and plays a central role in the Ginト]s, emphasizing the quest for spiritual understanding within the Ismaili Khoja tradition.

47) Shiva (Siva):
Shiva is a principal god in Hinduism, whose influence is woven into the narratives and themes of the Ginト]s, illustrating the complex interplay between Ismailism and Hindu beliefs.

48) Hindi (Himdi):
Hindi is one of the languages in which some Ginト]s are composed, highlighting the linguistic diversity and cultural expressions within the Ismaili Khoja community.

49) Space:
[see source text or glossary: #Space#]

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