Dreaming and Historical Consciousness in Island Greece

by Charles Stewart

What constitutes a history? Is this term to be restricted to the works of recognized historians? Or can information about the past gained through dreams, spirit possession rituals, or dancing performances also count as histories? Instead of dismissing such productions as “myth” or “religion,” Charles Stewart contends in Dreaming and Historical Consciousness in Island Greece that our definition of history must be widened. This move is crucial in a global setting where alternative historical practices require appreciation as systems of thought rather than rejection as inferior types of knowledge. Villagers on the Greek island of Naxos have long experienced dreams of saints directing them to dig up buried objects. These dreams impelled the villagers to become both archaeologists and historians striving to uncover a past that would alter their future. Dreaming and Historical Consciousness in Island Greece elucidates these dreams of the past-present-future in terms of local cosmology and theorizes them as existential expressions of the struggle for agency. This ethnography of historical consciousness offers new insight into how people imagine the past, consciously and unconsciously, in daily life.

Genres: Anthropology

278 pages, Hardcover

First published August 13, 2012

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Susanne Doorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

PRO

This book suggests that dreams are a mode to discover novel information about the past;
Charles Stewart has done thorough research;
Especially interesting is his study of the 1930 dream diaries;
If you are, like me, interested in dreams, this book will be a wealth of information;
This book makes you aware that there is a recursive relationship between events and structures, that is reflected in dreams.

CON

Sometimes Charles says the same thing in different words. Eloquent words, nonetheless, but the point has already come across.
Mindfunda verdict:
8/10

[Yash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only halfway through, and although I personally disagree with some of the author's broader theoretical points, this is quickly becoming one of the most exciting and revitalising ethnographies I've read. Longer review to come soon...

[Sertaç Sehlikoglu · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent ethnography. I recommend the book to my curious students who ask for a good read too.