White Utopias: The Religious Exoticism of Transformational Festivals

Transformational festivals, such as Burning Man and Lightning in a Bottle, are studied in White Utopias by Amanda J. Lucia as religious institutions for "spiritual, but not religious" (SBNR) communities. She argues that participants create temporary utopias through spiritual growth and human connection but also engage in religious exoticism by adopting Indigenous and Indic spiritualities, rendering them exclusive, white utopias. Lucia offers new ways of comprehending these festivals as significant cultural phenomena.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 320 pages
\n Publication date: 13 October 2020
\n Publisher: University of California Press
\n

Transformational festivals, such as Burning Man, Lightning in a Bottle, Bhakti Fest, and Wanderlust, have become massive global events attracting thousands of participants. In her groundbreaking book, "White Utopias: Transformational Festivals and the Religious Exoticism of Spiritual, but Not Religious" (SBNR) Communities, Amanda J. Lucia explores how these festivals function as religious institutions for SBNR communities. While previous research on SBNR practices and New Age religion has overlooked the predominantly white makeup of these communities, "White Utopias" delves into the complex and often contradictory relationships with race at these events, offering an engrossing ethnography of SBNR practices.

Lucia argues that participants at these festivals create temporary utopias through their shared commitments to spiritual growth and human connection. However, they also engage in religious exoticism by adopting Indigenous and Indic spiritualities, which ultimately renders them exclusive, white utopias. By focusing on the role of yoga in disseminating SBNR values, Lucia offers new ways of understanding transformational festivals as significant cultural phenomena.

These festivals serve as spaces for SBNR communities to gather, connect, and explore their beliefs and practices in a non-traditional setting. They offer a sense of community, belonging, and transcendence that can be difficult to find in mainstream religious institutions. However, the adoption of Indigenous and Indic spiritualities by participants raises questions about cultural appropriation and the perpetuation of colonialism.

Lucia's book provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of SBNR communities and their relationships with race and religion. It challenges traditional notions of spirituality and religious practice and offers a fresh perspective on the role of festivals in shaping cultural and social identities. As these festivals continue to grow in popularity, it is important to consider the impact they have on participants and the broader society.

\n Weight: 430g\n
Dimension: 153 x 229 x 26 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780520376953\n \n