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WORLD ANTHROPOLOGICAL UNION

CONGRESS 2024​

Paper

Navigating Modernity in the Faith and Practice of Contemporary Mappilas through Digitalized Dargah-Sufis in Malabar, Kerala

presenters

    Abdulsalam

    Nationality: India

    Residence: India

    Presence:Face to Face/ On Site

Keywords:

Sufi shrines, dargah , digital modernity, Mappilas Muslims in Malabar region, Religious practices in Kerala, India

Abstract:

The dargah (Sufi shrines) culture among Mappila Muslims in Kerala has been thoroughly researched by scholars all over the world. However, the impact of digital media in allowing this trend to survive and thrive even in the face of more competitive 21st century communicational challenges seem to be least explored. Further, the outbreak of the Covid – 19 pandemics forging a life-threatening situation and insecurity among the local communities and its concomitant impact on raising faith in the supernatural and spiritual forces, has brought a manifold interest in the studies of this ilk. Given this background the present study investigates into the transformative intersection of tradition and modernity within the Mappila Muslim community in Malabar coast of Kerala state in South India. The paper examines the evolution of digitalization practices and using digital and social media platforms invoking the spiritual importance of those pilgrim centers attached with Sufi saints which occupies to be the places of congregation amd integration to transcending and sharing of knowledge systems around them. The data collected for this paper with the help of an ethnographic methods, provides substance to delve into the phenomenon of digitalized Dargah-Sufis, examining how technological advancements impact the faith and rituals of Contemporary Mappilas and contributes to the local knowledge on different aspects of day-to-day life. By investigating the adoption of digital platforms for pilgrimage engagement, this abstract aims to decipher the changing dynamics of religious practices in response to contemporary challenges. The study sheds light on the implications of this digital pilgrimage trend on the cultural, spiritual, and communal aspects of Mappila life, providing insights into how technology is influencing the sacred landscapes of Malabar bringing out the intricate relationship between technology, faith, and tradition in the context of Mappila Muslim communities navigating the complexities of modernity