Using the Emic–Etic Distinction to Understand the Medieval Christian Interpretations of Slavic Pagan Religion
This article experimentally applies anthropological perspectives to ancient European religions, focusing on Slavic pre-Christian beliefs. It aims to offer nuanced analytical tools and a reflective framework to interpret these religions, primarily by examining how Christian sources portray Slavic pag...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
2026
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| In: |
Method & theory in the study of religion
Year: 2026, Volume: 38, Issue: 1, Pages: 1-27 |
| Further subjects: | B
Slavic paganism
B emic–etic distinction B Christian interpretation of ancient religions B Source Criticism |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | This article experimentally applies anthropological perspectives to ancient European religions, focusing on Slavic pre-Christian beliefs. It aims to offer nuanced analytical tools and a reflective framework to interpret these religions, primarily by examining how Christian sources portray Slavic paganism and discussing the emic-etic distinction’s advantages and limitations. The article categorizes the strategies employed by medieval Christian writers in their writings and summarizes the emic-etic debate in the study of religion and its connection with the insider-outsider debate. In evaluating these sources and the religious systems they describe, the author suggests that both insider and outsider perspectives contain inherent emic and etic aspects. The proposed "acad-etic" position encourages acknowledging modern academic presuppositions that may influence understanding the data. The article underscores the need for a holistic approach, considering historical and social contexts and the discursive strategies used in describing ancient religions. |
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| ISSN: | 1570-0682 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Method & theory in the study of religion
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1163/15700682-bja10160 |
