article

Untangling conversion: religious change and identity among the Forest Tobelo of Indonesia

Ethnology • 42 (4) • Published In 2003 • Pages: 307-322

By: Duncan, Christopher R..

Abstract
This study examines how and why the Forest Tobelo were rapidly converted to Christianity by foreign missionaries, after decades of unsuccessful missions from the coastal-dwelling Tobelo, with whom they share a language and kinship ties. The principal reason is that the Forest Tobelo have chosen to maintain a distinct identity from coastal communities with whom they have a long history of mistrust and unequal power relations.
Subjects
Acculturation and culture contact
Cultural identity and pride
Religious experience
Religious denominations
Missions
culture
Tobelo
Region
Asia
Sub Region
Southeast Asia
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Anthropologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Teferi Abate Adem; 2021
Field Date
1995-1996; 2001-2002
Coverage Date
1982-1994
Coverage Place
East Halmahera Regency, North Maluku, Indonesia
Notes
Christopher R. Duncan
Includes bibliographical references (p. 321-322)
LCCN
64005713
LCSH
Tobelo (Indonesian people)