Abstract

Vernacular shrines are small, unformalised sites of worship located next to trees, in hawker centres and bus interchanges, at the roadsides, and other public spaces. They may appear humble but hold immense social and cultural significance. Vernacular shrines can be seen as manifestations of an alternative religious imaginary at the grassroots in multireligious and highly urbanised Singapore.  In this talk, he will be presenting stories of diverse residents as they practice shrine worship and forge local communities. He will also show excerpts from a documentary film that his research team has produced which explores how shared values and mutual respect build community at these shrines.

Speaker

Francis Lim is Associate Professor of Sociology at NTU. He holds research interests in religion, technology and society in various Asian societies. He is the PI of a new research project on religious populism in Asia, funded by the MOE Tier 2 grant. He earned his Ph.D. in Anthropology and Sociology from SOAS, University of London.