1st Edition

Genetics, Mass Media and Identity A Case Study of the Genetic Research on the Lemba

By Tudor Parfitt, Yulia Egorova Copyright 2006
160 Pages
by Routledge

160 Pages
by Routledge

160 Pages
by Routledge

This is the first book to explore the effect of genetic research on the Lemba Judaising community of Southern Africa and the phenomenon of Israelite identity. The science of genetics as relayed by the media is perceived by laymen as being irreproachably objective 'hard science': its disinterested 'scientific' findings appear immensely impressive and may therefore act as a powerful catalyst for... Read more

1. Introduction  2. Between Art and Science: ‘Non-Scientific’ Aspects of Genetics  3. Jews and Genetics  4. Are Jews Black?  5. The Lemba  6. The Lemba Tests: Mediatisation and Responses  7. The Bene-Israel  8. Genetics Research on the Bene-Israel  9. Conclusion

Biography

Yulia Egorova is a Research Fellow at the School of Religious and Theological Studies at Cardiff University. She is working on a project on The Meanings of Genetics.

Tudor Parfitt is Professor of Modern Jewish Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies, Unversity of London. His areas of expertise include the history of the Jews in Africa and Asia; Judaizing movements and Modern Hebrew language and literature.