The Invention of Prophecy: Continuity and Meaning in Hopi Indian Religion - Hardcover

"Methodologically sophisticated, theoretically informed, and substantively significant. It represents a major achievement by a gifted scholar in comparative religion who has already established his competence, creativity and resourcefulness in his previous publications. This book presents an extended analysis and discussion of important features of Hopi Religion, especially prophecy, as well as relevant approaches to the study of religion. Because of this dual focus "The Invention of Prophecy advances not only our knowledge or Hopi Religion, but also the debate about theory and method currently proceeding in comparative religion. . . . Scholars will welcome this magnificent contribution not only to our knowledge of Hopi religion but also to the scientific study of religion."--"Numen

Armin Geertz corrects what he sees as basic American and European tendencies to misrepresent non-Western cultures. Carefully documenting the historical role of prophecy in Hopi Indian religion, Geertz shows how prophecies about the end of the world have been created by the Hopi Traditionalist Movement and used by non-Indian movements, cults, and interest groups. Many of the seeming peculiarities of Hopi religion and culture have been invented, he says, by tourists, novelists, journalists, and scholars, and the millennial Traditionalist Movement has subtly co-authored European and American stereotypes of Indians. Geertz's richly detailed examples and persuasive arguments will be welcomed by all those interested in Native American studies, comparative religions, anthropology, and sociology.