Synopses & Reviews
Women, the Recited Qur'an, and Islamic Music in Contemporary Indonesia takes readers to the heart of religious musical praxis in Indonesia, home to the largest Muslim population in the world. Anne K. Rasmussen explores a rich public soundscape, where women recite the divine texts of the Qur'an, and where an extraordinary diversity of Arab-influenced Islamic musical styles and genres, also performed by women, flourishes. Based on unique and revealing ethnographic research beginning at the end of Suharto's and#147;New Orderand#8221; and continuing into the era of and#147;Reformation,and#8221; the book considers the powerful role of music in the expression of religious nationalism. In particular, it focuses on musical style, women's roles, and the ideological and aesthetic issues raised by the Indonesian style of recitation.
Review
“Highly recommended.” Choice
Review
and#8220;This book breaks new ground as it overturns old assumptions.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;Highly recommended.and#8221;
Synopsis
"Rasmussen has written a classic study of the world of Islamic soundscapes, performances and forms of musical piety in that most complex of societies, Indonesia. With great sensitivity, an alert musical response to players, reciters and audiences, a keen practitioner's ear and eye for subtlety as well as for the complexities of 'noise', she changes common assumptions about Muslim music and, not least, gender in changing Islamic ritual cultures. Her own political awareness and her professional as well as personal relations with women Qu'ran reciters contribute to an exciting an original volume that I recommend to any one exploring the riches of Islamic performances and debates in the contemporary world."and#151;Michael Gilsenan, author of Lords of the Lebanese Marches: Violence and Narrative in an Arab Society
Synopsis
"Rasmussen has written a classic study of the world of Islamic soundscapes, performances and forms of musical piety in that most complex of societies, Indonesia. With great sensitivity, an alert musical response to players, reciters and audiences, a keen practitioner's ear and eye for subtlety as well as for the complexities of 'noise', she changes common assumptions about Muslim music and, not least, gender in changing Islamic ritual cultures. Her own political awareness and her professional as well as personal relations with women Qu'ran reciters contribute to an exciting an original volume that I recommend to any one exploring the riches of Islamic performances and debates in the contemporary world."--Michael Gilsenan, author of Lords of the Lebanese Marches: Violence and Narrative in an Arab Society
About the Author
Anne K. Rasmussen is Associate Professor of Music at the College of William and Mary.
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations
Note on Transliteration and Translation
Preface and Acknowledgments
1. Setting the Scene
2. Hearing Islam in the Atmosphere
3. Learning Recitation: The Institutionalization of the Recited Qurand#8217;an
4. Celebrating Religion and Nation: The Festivalization of the Qurand#8217;an
5. Performing Piety through Islamic Musical Arts
6. Rethinking Women, Music, and Islam
Notes
Glossary
Bibliography
Index