Description

Book Synopsis
An analysis of the Thaipusam festival of the Hindu Tamils of Malaysia and the vows they make to the god Murugan. It explores the meaning of vow fulfilment as reflected in social, economic and political divisions in the Tamil community, and the practice of ritual as a form of symbolic action.

Trade Review

"A remarkable first book."
-Journal of Ritual Studies
"This splendid book succeeds in making an esoteric and forbidding subject into an engaging study that will interest a wide readership."—Choice
"Masterfully crafted.... A deft analysis of an arresting ritual event."—Mark Juergensmeyer, University of California, Santa Barbara



Table of Contents

Table of Contents
1 The Power of Murugan's Lance
2 Murugan as Metaphor
3 The Hindu Tamils of Penang: Gurus, Brahmins, and Pujaris
4 Thaipusam in Penang
5 Rituals and Politics
6 Arul: The Trance of Divine Grace
7 Symbolic Acts: The Meanings of Ritual Vow Fulfillment
8 A Ceremonial Animal
9 Ritual, Power, and Moral Redemption
Notes
Bibliography
Index

Pierced by Murugans Lance

    Product form

    £21.84

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £22.99 – you save £1.15 (5%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Sat 4 Jul 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Elizabeth Fuller Collins

    1 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Pierced by Murugans Lance by Elizabeth Fuller Collins

      Publisher: Cornell University Press
      Publication Date: 01/10/1997
      ISBN13: 9780875805740, 978-0875805740
      ISBN10: 0875805744
      Also in:
      Hinduism

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      An analysis of the Thaipusam festival of the Hindu Tamils of Malaysia and the vows they make to the god Murugan. It explores the meaning of vow fulfilment as reflected in social, economic and political divisions in the Tamil community, and the practice of ritual as a form of symbolic action.

      Trade Review

      "A remarkable first book."
      -Journal of Ritual Studies
      "This splendid book succeeds in making an esoteric and forbidding subject into an engaging study that will interest a wide readership."—Choice
      "Masterfully crafted.... A deft analysis of an arresting ritual event."—Mark Juergensmeyer, University of California, Santa Barbara



      Table of Contents

      Table of Contents
      1 The Power of Murugan's Lance
      2 Murugan as Metaphor
      3 The Hindu Tamils of Penang: Gurus, Brahmins, and Pujaris
      4 Thaipusam in Penang
      5 Rituals and Politics
      6 Arul: The Trance of Divine Grace
      7 Symbolic Acts: The Meanings of Ritual Vow Fulfillment
      8 A Ceremonial Animal
      9 Ritual, Power, and Moral Redemption
      Notes
      Bibliography
      Index

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account