- Passage 1
“Great” and “little” traditions
The terms great and little traditions were coined by a sociologist named Robert Redfield in the twentieth century to describe the cultural practices of peasant societies. He found that peasants observed rituals and customs that emanated from dominant social categories, including priests and rulers. These he classified as part of a great tradition. At the same time, peasants also followed local practices that did not necessarily correspond with those of the great tradition. These he included within the category of little tradition. He also noticed that both great and little traditions changed over time, through a process of interaction. While scholars accept the significance of these categories and processes, they are often uncomfortable with the hierarchy suggested by the terms great and little. The use of quotation marks for “great” and “little” is one way of indicating this.
Questions / Answer:
Question 1: What are the great and little traditions coined by Robert Redfield?
Answer: The terms great and little traditions were coined by sociologist Robert Redfield to describe the cultural practices of peasant societies.
Question 2: How did Redfield classify practices within these traditions?
Answer: Redfield classified rituals and customs emanating from dominant social categories as part of the great tradition, while local practices not necessarily corresponding with those were included within the little tradition.
Question 3: What did Redfield observe about the evolution of great and little traditions?
Answer: He noticed that both great and little traditions changed over time through a process of interaction.
Question 4: Why do some scholars feel uncomfortable with the terms “great” and “little” traditions?
Answer: Some scholars are uncomfortable with the hierarchy implied by the terms “great” and “little.”
Question 5: How do scholars indicate their discomfort with the hierarchy of these terms?
Answer: Scholars often use quotation marks around “great” and “little” to indicate their discomfort with the implied hierarchy.
- Passage 2
Sufism and tasawwuf
Sufism is an English word coined in the nineteenth century. The word used for Sufism in Islamic texts is tasawwuf. Historians have understood this term in several ways. According to some scholars, it is derived from suf, meaning wool, referring to the coarse woollen clothes worn by Sufis. Others derive it from safa, meaning purity. It may also have been derived from suffa, the platform outside the Prophet’s Mosque, where a group of close followers assembled to learn about the faith.
Questions / Answer:
Question 1: What is the English word for tasawwuf?
Answer: The English word for tasawwuf is Sufism.
Question 2: When was the term “Sufism” coined?
Answer: The term “Sufism” was coined in the nineteenth century.
Question 3: What does the word “suf” mean in relation to Sufism?
Answer: Some scholars derive “Sufism” from “suf,” which means wool, referring to the coarse woolen clothes worn by Sufis.
Question 4: What is another proposed origin of the term “Sufism”?
Answer: Another proposed origin is from “safa,” meaning purity.
Question 5: What is the significance of “suffa” in the context of Sufism?
Answer: “Suffa” refers to the platform outside the Prophet’s mosque, where a group of close followers assembled to learn about the faith, and some scholars suggest it as a possible origin for the term “Sufism.”
- Passage 3
Amir Khusrau and the qaul
Amir Khusrau (1253-1325), the great poet, musician and disciple of Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya, gave a unique form to the Chishti sama‘ by introducing the qaul (Arabic word meaning “saying”), a hymn sung at the opening or closing of qawwali. This was followed by sufi poetry in Persian, Hindavi or Urdu, and sometimes using words from all of these languages. Qawwals (those who sing these songs) at the shrine of Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya always start their recital with the qaul. Today qawwali is performed in shrines all over the subcontinent.
Questions / Answer:
Question 1: Who is credited with introducing the qaul into Chishti Sufi music?
Answer: Amir Khusrau, the poet, musician, and disciple of Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya, is credited with introducing the qaul into Chishti Sufi music.
Question 2: What does “qaul” mean in Arabic?
Answer: “Qaul” translates to “saying” in Arabic.
Question 3: When is the qaul typically sung during qawwali performances?
Answer: The qaul is typically sung at the opening or closing of a qawwali performance.
Question 4: In what languages did Amir Khusrau compose sufi poetry for qawwali?
Answer: Amir Khusrau composed sufi poetry for qawwali in Persian, Hindavi, or Urdu, sometimes incorporating words from all of these languages.
Question 5: Where do qawwali performances take place today?
Answer: Qawwali performances take place in shrines all over the Indian subcontinent, with qawwals often beginning their recitals with the qaul.
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