Peyote Religion: A History

Description

Peyote Religion: A History by Omer C. Stewart is a landmark ethnographic and historical study of the Native American Church and its sacramental use of the peyote cactus. Originally published in 1987, this meticulously researched volume offers an in-depth examination of the origins, spread, and legal battles surrounding the peyote religion across North America.

Stewart traces the movement from its roots among the Plains tribes to its formal organization as a syncretic spiritual tradition that blends indigenous ritual, Christian influence, and the visionary use of the peyote sacrament. Drawing on decades of fieldwork, legal records, and firsthand accounts, Stewart not only documents the development of the Church but also defends its legitimacy as a protected religious practice. This essential work remains a cornerstone in the study of entheogenic spirituality, indigenous rights, and the broader dialogue between religion and law in the United States.

Author Omer C. Stewart

Author Info

Omer C. Stewart (1908 ?1991) was an American anthropologist and ethnologist renowned for his pioneering research on Native American religions and the cultural significance of psychoactive substances.

A professor at the University of Colorado, Stewart spent decades studying the peyote religion and advocating for the legal rights of Native peoples to practice their traditions. His scholarship combined rigorous fieldwork with a deep respect for indigenous worldviews, and his testimony was instrumental in court cases that helped secure legal protection for the Native American Church. Stewart s legacy endures as one of the foremost voices in the academic study of entheogens and indigenous religious freedom.

ISBN-13 978-0806124575 Publisher University of Oklahoma Press

Publication Date:September 15, 1993 (Originally Published 1987)

Edition: Reprint

Binding:Paperback

Condition:Used – Very Good

Page Count:454 Pages