Abstract
Paganism is an umbrella term which, along with Wicca and various eclectic Pagan paths, encompasses European native faiths or, in other words, autochthonous pre-Christian religions. Thus at the intersection of Paganism and indigenous religions the contemporary return of European native faiths arguably constitutes an example of European indigenism on the model of autochthonous peoples’ liberation movements. This paper furthers my previous analysis which addressed the theme of European native faiths and ethnopsychiatry (Ferlat 2014), where I began to explore the idea that European native faiths might offer a route for healing traumas resulting from waves of acculturation which, throughout history, have undermined specific groups in Europe nowadays labelled “ethnocultural”. Such traumas are the object of study in ethnopsychiatry and cross-cultural psychology among people who face the consequences of violent acculturation. Considering the role played by the revitalization of cultures on other continents, I continue here my reflection about the way that European indigeneity and indigenism might be incarnated by European native faiths. I focus in particular on a reconstructionist Druidic group in France, the Druidic Assembly of the Oak and the Boar (ADCS). I introduce the concept of “internal colonialism” as an analytical tool to understand the meaning of one of its rituals which relates to Old Gaul and epitomizes a decolonizing stance. I conclude that the ADCS embodies a specific native project: an internal decolonization and peaceful indigenization process at work within a nation-state. However given a context where internal colonization is not officially recognized, the potential resilience of such a process remains uncertain.
Highlights
On the model of autochthonous peoples’ liberation movements, European native faiths might well provide examples of European indigenism, or indigenisms, as far as they reveal common features with indigenous peoples and other cultural minorities
I introduce the concept of “internal colonialism” as an analytical tool to understand the meaning of one of its rituals which relates to Old Gaul and epitomizes a decolonizing stance
European peoples have undergone, raising the question of the intersection of European native faiths and indigenous religions means raising the possibility of European indigenisms
Summary
On the model of autochthonous peoples’ liberation movements, European native faiths might well provide examples of European indigenism, or indigenisms, as far as they reveal common features with indigenous peoples and other cultural minorities. European peoples have undergone, raising the question of the intersection of European native faiths and indigenous religions means raising the possibility of European indigenisms In this context the first objective is to understand the notions of “indigenous”, “indigeneity” and “indigenism”. One of the specific features of indigeneity has been described as the relationship between a tribe’s, people’s or individual’s soul and a particular place This symbiosis holds that any purely conceptual representation which separates the human being from a place is artificial and does not fall within the constructionist spectrum Indigenism conceived as an implementation of indigeneity exhibits a relational dimension involving a dialectic founded on absence and presence in which the felt absence of ancestors and traditions forms the starting point for restoring a structured world Both terms can be conceived as dynamic concepts embedding and supporting life rather than indicators of cultural loss and death. In this way can they contribute positively to indigenous resilience
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
