This book raises the question of what an Indigenous church is and how its members define their ties of affiliation or separation. Establishing a pioneering dialogue between Amazonian and Gran Chaco studies on Indigenous Christianity, the contributions address historical processes, cosmological conceptions, ritual practices, leadership dynamics, and material formations involved in the creation and diversification of Indigenous churches. Instead of focusing on the study of missionary ideologies and praxis, the book explores Indigenous peoples' interpretations of Christianity and the institutional arrangements they make to create, expand, or dismantle their churches. In doing so, the volume offers a South American contribution to the theoretical project of the anthropology of Christianity, especially as it relates to the issue of denominationalism and inter-denominational relations.
This work is highly recommended and stands as an essential read for anyone interested in the contemporary challenges facing Indigenous Christianities in the Amazon and Gran Chaco. Based on rigorous field research, the chapters reveal the true nature of Indigenous Christianity . By focusing on Indigenous interpretations of Christianity, rather than centering on missionary practices, the book offers a valuable contribution to scholars and researchers in the field. (Gustavo Sanches Duarte, International Journal of Latin American Religions, Vol. 8 (2), 2024)







