And Then We Work For God Rural Sunni Islam In Western Turkey
Book Description
In the rolling hills of Turkey's Yuntdağ region, anthropologist Kimberly Hart unveils the intricate spiritual tapestry that shapes rural Muslim life. Through intimate portraits of two village communities, this ethnographic study reveals how faith operates as both personal compass and communal foundation in contemporary Islamic society.
Hart follows villagers as they navigate between tradition and modernity, tracing their journeys from remote mountain settlements to bustling towns and even across borders to Germany. What emerges is a nuanced understanding of how spiritual identity adapts and endures through dramatic social change.
The author illuminates three distinct yet interwoven threads that form the villagers' religious worldview: cherished local Islamic customs passed down through generations, the official state-sanctioned interpretation of faith, and the mystical teachings offered by various Sufi brotherhoods. This convergence creates a rich spiritual landscape where ancient wisdom meets contemporary challenges.
Rather than presenting Islam as a monolithic system, Hart demonstrates how rural believers actively shape their faith through daily practice, community relationships, and personal devotion. The result is an authentic glimpse into how ordinary people find meaning, purpose, and divine connection within their cultural context.
For readers seeking to understand how spirituality functions in real communities beyond theoretical frameworks, this work offers valuable insights into the lived experience of faith in the modern world.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)
📄 Length: 292 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Rural population
- ✓ Explore Customs and practices
- ✓ Explore Islam and culture
- ✓ Explore Turkey, religion
- ✓ Explore Turkey, social life and customs
- ✓ Explore Islam, turkey
- ✓ Explore Islam
- ✓ Explore Religious life and customs
