ABSTRACT

This book examines the relationship between economics, politics and religion through the case of Olivorio Mateo and the religious movement he inspired from 1908 in the Dominican Republic. The authors explore how and why the new religion was formed, and why it was so successful. Comparing this case with other peasant movements, they show ways in which folk religion serves as a response to particular problems which arise in peasant societies during times of stress.

chapter |30 pages

1 Introduction

part |222 pages

The events

chapter |90 pages

Olivorio Mateo

The life and death of a peasant god, 1908—22

chapter |48 pages

Interlude

The survival of Olivorismo, 1922–61

chapter |82 pages

Palma Sola

The revival of Olivorismo, 1961–62

part |61 pages

The myth

chapter |59 pages

Olivorista lore

part |286 pages

The causes

chapter |67 pages

A new era

Economic change, politics and Palma Sola, 1922–63

chapter |41 pages

Justifying a massacre

Official religion and ideology in the Dominican Republic, 1492–1962

part |119 pages

The wider context

chapter |67 pages

Prophets, messiahs and gods

Olivorismo in a universal context

chapter |18 pages

Conclusion

chapter |32 pages

Epilogue 1963–90