Salafi Aesthetics: Preaching Among the Sunnance in Niamey, Niger

Title

Salafi Aesthetics: Preaching Among the Sunnance in Niamey, Niger

list of authors

Abdoulaye Sounaye

Abstract

In their effort to contribute to Islamic reform in Niamey, young Salafi (Sunnance) have embraced preaching and have made it part of their religious practice. As preachers or audience members, they invest time and energy to imagine various ways to popularize the Sunna, the tradition of the prophet Muhammad. Because of the jokes, mimicry, and theatrics that characterize their preaching style, their critics have rejected their initiatives, claiming they are unqualified and therefore should not be allowed to preach. In response, Sunnance have argued that an effective sermon (wazu) requires art, skills, ingenuity and know-how (iyawa, hikma in Hausa). By examining how aesthetics are central to Sunnance popular and street preaching, this article invites a reexamination of Salafism through its aesthetic forms. Wazu is not just a gathering that seeks to deliver a message, be it divine; it is also a way to promote religiosity through particular cultural and aesthetic performances.

Journal

Journal of Religion in Africa

volume

47

issue

1

page start

9

page end

41

Date

2017

Language

Anglais

Type

Article de revue

Subject

Salafism

Niamey

preaching

doi

10.1163/15700666-12340101

Identifier

Q113528343

iwac-reference-0000238

Spatial Coverage

Niger