Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
promising sense of proprietorship and right to rule in the sacred area, perhaps coupled by exclusion
of non-believers.
Friction and flash points
Religions define behaviors that are pleasing and displeasing to God. Unfortunately, behavior (such as
the proper way to call and worship God) that is practiced by members of some faiths may be displeas-
ing or patently offensive to members of other faiths, leading to friction, if not outright bloodshed. It
should come as no surprise, therefore, to observe contemporary conflicts that coincide geographically
with the overlap or interface of different religious groups. Examples include:
Northern Ireland (Protestant — Roman Catholic)
Kashmir (Hinduism — Islam)
Southern Philippines (Christianity — Islam)
Israel (Islam — Judaism)
Former Yugoslavia (Christianity — Islam)
Forbidden and favored foodstuffs
Religious dictates have changed the agricultural landscape of many areas by discouraging production
of some foodstuffs and encouraged others. These have had a significant impact on the geographies
of agriculture, animal husbandry, and cuisine. Among the better known prohibitions are the Judaic
and Islamic proscriptions against pork (pigs being viewed as unclean), the Hindu proscription against
beef (the killing of cows being forbidden ), and the Islamic proscription against consumption of al-
coholic beverages. In some cases, in contrast, religious favor has encouraged diffusion of foodstuffs.
Here are two examples:
Tumeric:
This is a rather tasteless spice, grown throughout much of Southeastern Asia,
whose principal purpose is to add a golden color to other foodstuffs. Its diffusion has been
linked to the spread of Buddhism, in which gold is a symbol of enlightenment (hence the clas-
sic gold-domed Buddhist temples). The spice's purpose, therefore, is to bestow a desired aura
on food.
Grapes:
The diffusion of Christianity, especially Roman Catholicism, in many parts of the
world was complemented by the spread of
viniculture
(grape growing) to meet sacramental
needs. In time, of course, grape production expanded to meet consumption needs of a more
pedestrian sort. But religious diffusion provided the impetus for agricultural diffusion. Inter-
