OVERVIEW
The Lamali Religion has existed in rural parts of Central South America for centuries, yet it has only recently come to the attention of Western scholars. Partly, the obscurity of the religion is accounted for by the fact that its adherents are almost entirely rural people, many of whom live in remote and nearly inaccesible terrain. Yet, it is now estimated that Lamalism might have as many as one million followers, marking it as a signifcant expression of human religiosity.
ORIGINS
The scholar, Friedrich Kaffelbaum of the Berlin Institute For Religious Inquiry, has idenified three main sources of inspiration for Lamelism. The first source is found in the indigenous religions of Central South America. The second in Christianity. And the third is found in West African religions. Kaffelbaum believes these three influences came together sometime during the early 1600's to create the syncretic religion that is Lamelism. Christianity entered the mix via the European arrival in the region, while the West African influence was carried by the slaves imported by the Europeans.
FUNDAMENTALS OF LAMALISM
Lamalism has been identified by Jacques La Fentain of the Parisian Academy For the Study of Human Religiosity as a salvation driven religion. By "salvation driven", La Fentain appears to be saying that personal salvation is not only a central focus of the religion, but also what largely makes it attractive to its followers. Whatever the case, most Lamalists agree that salvation is brought about by a "bird of heaven" winging the human soul aloft after death. Although most Lamalists would agree on this essential point, there are deep differences between Lamalists over the identity of the "bird of heaven".
One sect of Lamalists believe the bird of heaven is the chucacabra bird, a colorful species native to Central South America. These Lamalists revere the chucacabra and prohibit hunting, killing, or eating it. Yet, another sect of Lamalists dismiss the chucacabra as holy and instead believe the bird of heaven is the dove that descended on Jesus during his baptism by John the Baptist. It should be noted that the Bible nowhere states a dove descended on Jesus during his baptism, yet the Lamalists, in formulating their faith, appear to have been more influenced by European paintings depicting a dove descending on Jesus than they were by the words of Bible itself. This second sect of Lamalists are apt to eat the chucacabra, as they would any other bird, to the outrage of the chucacabra sect. The friction between the two sects has sometimes led to raids and violence.
HOLY DAYS
The chucacabra sect observes April 1st as it's holiest of holy days. During the holiday, chucacabrists typically eat excessive quanitites of roasted doves. The dove sect also observes April 1st as a significant holiday, but chooses to celebrate it by eating massive amounts of grilled chucacabra. It is believed by La Fentain that these culinary preferences originated in an attempt by the sects to spite each other.
The Lamali Religion has existed in rural parts of Central South America for centuries, yet it has only recently come to the attention of Western scholars. Partly, the obscurity of the religion is accounted for by the fact that its adherents are almost entirely rural people, many of whom live in remote and nearly inaccesible terrain. Yet, it is now estimated that Lamalism might have as many as one million followers, marking it as a signifcant expression of human religiosity.
ORIGINS
The scholar, Friedrich Kaffelbaum of the Berlin Institute For Religious Inquiry, has idenified three main sources of inspiration for Lamelism. The first source is found in the indigenous religions of Central South America. The second in Christianity. And the third is found in West African religions. Kaffelbaum believes these three influences came together sometime during the early 1600's to create the syncretic religion that is Lamelism. Christianity entered the mix via the European arrival in the region, while the West African influence was carried by the slaves imported by the Europeans.
FUNDAMENTALS OF LAMALISM
Lamalism has been identified by Jacques La Fentain of the Parisian Academy For the Study of Human Religiosity as a salvation driven religion. By "salvation driven", La Fentain appears to be saying that personal salvation is not only a central focus of the religion, but also what largely makes it attractive to its followers. Whatever the case, most Lamalists agree that salvation is brought about by a "bird of heaven" winging the human soul aloft after death. Although most Lamalists would agree on this essential point, there are deep differences between Lamalists over the identity of the "bird of heaven".
One sect of Lamalists believe the bird of heaven is the chucacabra bird, a colorful species native to Central South America. These Lamalists revere the chucacabra and prohibit hunting, killing, or eating it. Yet, another sect of Lamalists dismiss the chucacabra as holy and instead believe the bird of heaven is the dove that descended on Jesus during his baptism by John the Baptist. It should be noted that the Bible nowhere states a dove descended on Jesus during his baptism, yet the Lamalists, in formulating their faith, appear to have been more influenced by European paintings depicting a dove descending on Jesus than they were by the words of Bible itself. This second sect of Lamalists are apt to eat the chucacabra, as they would any other bird, to the outrage of the chucacabra sect. The friction between the two sects has sometimes led to raids and violence.
HOLY DAYS
The chucacabra sect observes April 1st as it's holiest of holy days. During the holiday, chucacabrists typically eat excessive quanitites of roasted doves. The dove sect also observes April 1st as a significant holiday, but chooses to celebrate it by eating massive amounts of grilled chucacabra. It is believed by La Fentain that these culinary preferences originated in an attempt by the sects to spite each other.
