A Drought in Bima: People and Their Gods - week 6

Vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes exploring the cultural and religious practices of the Dou Donggo and Bimanese people in Sumbawa, Indonesia.

Dou Donggo

An ethnic group sharing eastern Sumbawa Island with the Bimanese, known for their beliefs related to nature and agricultural practices.

Bimanese

A larger ethnic group in eastern Sumbawa Island, strongly adherent to Islamic faith.

Subsistence farmers

Farmers who grow food primarily for their own consumption, depending on rain for crop success.

Ritual specialists

Individuals in the Dou Donggo society who perform rituals to appease spirits and maintain harmony with nature.

Propitiate

To appease or pacify a deity or spirit, often through offerings.

Mischievous spirits

Spirits believed by the Dou Donggo to interfere with natural processes, requiring offerings to ensure fertility.

Semi-feudal society

A social structure characterized by a lord-vassal relationship, with land and social resources owned by a Sultan.

Egalitarian society

A society where all members have equal rights and opportunities, typified by the Dou Donggo community structure.

Rites of passage

Ceremonies marking important transitions in a person's life, aiding in social identity shifts.

Material success

Achieving economic prosperity, often linked to religious beliefs as suggested by Max Weber's theories.

Charismatic prophet

A religious leader who inspires followers with a vision, often during times of social crisis.

Routinization

The process by which charismatic movements become institutionalized and lose their original spontaneity.

Millenary movements

Religious movements that arise in times of social upheaval, providing radical solutions to societal problems.

Azande

An ethnic group studied by E.E. Evans-Pritchard, noted for their beliefs in witchcraft as an explanation for misfortunes.

Pilgrimage

A journey to a sacred place as an act of religious devotion, often leading to social and economic changes.

Syncretism

The blending of different belief systems into a new faith, reflecting ongoing reinterpretation of religions.

Ely Parker (Hasandoanda)

Seneca Chief and engineer who embodied Handsome Lake's message of peace with change and advocated for Seneca rights.