Author name: Robert Canfield

Etude I: The event as the object of cultural analysis.  An example of a problem and a frame of reference:  structure in practice [incomplete].

  Introduction In 1966 – 1968 while doing field work among Hazaras in Shibar, Afghanistan, I discovered that in some places they were sharply divided between two kinds of Shi’ites, Ithnā `Asharīya (“Twelvers”) and Isma’ilis, even to the fracturing of small communities.  This is a memoir of the mares nest of disputes that came to light the more I probed into this society.  The explanation […]

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“Affairs in Bamian during the reign of King Amanullah”

For the Conference on “The Establishment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan and the Development of Modern Diplomacy: The Influence of Mahmoud Tarzi and Muhammad Wali Khan Darwazi.” Robert L. Canfield Washington University in St Louis The task and the approach During the reign of King Amanullah, as Mahmoud Tarzi was developing progressive

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A Biased Outline for the Study of Muslim Belief and Practice

For the Session on Islam at the Conference of the Evangelical Missionary Society, Oct 14-16, 2016 in Dallas, TX Robert L. Canfield, Emeritus Professor Washington University in St Louis This note is addressed to anyone wanting to understand Muslim belief and practice, to suggest some works for them to read [or in conversation listen for]. 

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