Shadows of the Prophet

This is the first in-depth study of the Malay martial art, silat, and the first ethnographic account of the Haqqani Islamic Sufi Order. Drawing on 12 years of research and practice, the author provides a major contribution to the study of Malay culture.

Provides the first performance ethnography of Malay martial arts Offers the first ethnographic account of the Naqshbandi-Haqqani Sufi Order Facilitates a new undestanding of how magic, religion and sorcery are embodied in the performance and practice of Malay martial arts Demonstrates a deep and wide knowledge of Malay culture and society (including its arcane and secret domains) and an expert practitioner's knowledge not simply of Malay silat but of Asian martial arts generally Is a major contribution to the study of Malay culture, to the comparative study of martial arts, and to the anthropology of dance, magic and ritual based upon ten years fieldwork in Southeast Asia

Auteur
Dr. Douglas Farrer earned a doctorate in social anthropology from the National University of Singapore in the Department of Sociology in 2006. His thesis focused upon the Malay martial art, silat. Dr. Farrer has practiced martial arts since 1975 and is a qualified instructor in kung fu and silat. Dr. Farrer resided in Singapore and Malaysia from 1998 to 2007; he is currently Assistant Professor of Cultural Anthropology at the University of Guam.

Contenu
Reflections.- Seni Silat Haqq Melayu: A Sufi Martial Art.- Silat: Art, Magic and Performance.- Echoes.- The Performance of Enchantment.- The Enchantment of Performance.- Doubles.- The Guru Silat.- Social and Aesthetic Drama.- Shadows.- Divination and Revelation.- Deathscapes of the Malay Martial Artist.