Miracles and Material Life

Teren Sevea is a historian of religion in South and Southeast Asia at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of publications on Islamic connections of the Indian Ocean world, Sufism and Sufis of the Malay world, Islamic reform movements and Islamic erotology.

• The magic of Islam and modern Malaya: an introduction; 1. Compendia of forest patois and agrarian 'Iimu; 2. Pawangs and Munshis in Muhammad's ricefields; 3. The Pawang's 'wonderful nose' for ore; 4. An 'ilmu of violence: the elephant bomohs of modern Malaya; 5. Gun gurus and Sufi shooters; Conclusion.

'This is a truly remarkable book. Combining empathy for Malay miracle-workers (pawang) with a sensitive analysis of 'magical' texts, Terenjit Sevea draws readers into a nineteenth century Malay world where the entwining of Islam with indigenous beliefs equipped pawangs with the esoteric knowledge that made them essential consultants in a range of socioeconomic activities.' Barbara Watson Andaya, University of Hawai'i