Anthropology of Religion and Religious Symbols according to Clifford Geertz

Scholars who have been studying religion since 19th century attach great importance to the study of "primitive religions". In search of the essence and the origin of religion, "primitive religions" were thenceforce mostly studied under a subject called "anthropology" and then "anthropology of religion". But later, in the second half of 20th century the discipline underwent a sea change and studied religion through symbols. The main concern of this article is to introduce this branch of research and the way it defines and looks at religion. Geertz is one of the most competent figures in this field and in this article his opinion about religious symbols and rituals in Indonesia and Morocco is going to be introduced. By hermeneutical approach he states that the great task of an anthropologist of religion is thick description of symbols which are being practiced in religious rituals.