Decolonising Studies of Religions in Oceania: South-South Flows of Diverse Worldviews across the Indian and Pacific Oceans

This panel presents findings of a research project and collaboration investigating transnational flows of religions across the Indian and Pacific Oceans, between Africa, Asia, South America, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Historical and contemporary studies of religion in Oceania have largely focused on flows of the so-called Abrahamic faiths – Christianity, Judaism and Islam – from the Global North, and on Northern theories. As a result, the significance of First Nations knowledges, South-South waves of migration of diverse worldviews, and Southern theories have been undervalued. This panel addresses these omissions and includes presentations from scholars working in these regions, to decolonise sociological and broader studies of religions in Oceania.