Call for Submissions for The Bloomsbury Handbook of Ecstatic Religion

Call for Submissions

We are currently seeking papers for a peer-reviewed edited volume, The Bloomsbury Handbook of Ecstatic Religion, to be published by Bloomsbury Press in their Handbooks in Religion Series with co-editors, Alison R. Marshall, Brandon University (marshalla@brandonu.ca), Rubina Ramji, Cape Breton University (ruby_ramji@cbu.ca), and Frank Usarski, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo (drusarski@gmail.com)

The proposed Handbook explores the subject of ecstatic religion and experiences/objects/practices that lead a person to become other than they are in everyday life. We explore this term broadly from diverse global perspectives, beginning with historical ones and traditions that are often referred to as shamanism or spirit mediumship. While the Handbook will examine the socio-political influences on ecstatic practice, explore and question the factors that possibly could have led to the gradual marginalization and racialization of shamans, spirit mediums and religious functionaries, the focus will be on the embodied practices, experiences and the people for whom ecstatic religion continues to provide agency.

The volume will provide a broad geographic representation and a scholarly introduction to a variety of audiences. We are looking for in-depth introductory essays chronicling embodied practices in diverse contexts, as well as dominant and emerging theories and approaches to the study of ecstatic religion, including as it relates to racism and colonialism. Overall, the volume is aimed at scholars and students who seek entry points in the range of critical issues and themes related to religion and ecstatic experiences.

Topics may include, but are not limited to:

· Embodied practices to move the spirit, including chanting, dancing, meditation, singing, tantra, mantra, and yoga.
· Religion and healing
· Blessings and exorcism
· Race and colonialism
· New religious movements
· Music
· Psychology
· Theories and approaches
· Gender
· Politics
· Taboo
· Altered States
· Efficacy
· Environmentalism
· Religious objects
· Home altars and rituals
· Myth
· History, and texts.

Full submissions focussing on the subject of ecstatic religion may range from 6,000–10,000 words depending on topic.

Proposals
Please send an abstract (150 words), anticipated word count, and one page CV to Alison Marshall at marshalla@brandonu.ca Feel free to direct any questions to the editors before submission.

Proposal Deadline: September 1, 2021
Full Draft Submissions of Complete Papers Due: January 1, 2022