Damanhur

Set in the Valchiusella valley of northwestern Italy, the Damanhur Federation has endured for decades as one of the oldest communities of its kind in Europe, and its way of life is built around spiritual and esoteric ideas. Despite this longevity, scholars have paid it surprisingly little close attention, and only a small number of articles in specialist journals have examined it in depth.

This volume gathers that academic work in one place for a readership of researchers, students, and general readers with an interest in the subject. Its approach is multidisciplinary, treating the community as a whole and examining the social, cultural, spiritual, and organisational dimensions of daily life. Contributors trace how the group has developed over time and how it has changed in the years since its founder died.

The studies combine fieldwork with theoretical analysis. Their methods include conversational interviews, participant observation, and questionnaires, bringing qualitative and quantitative approaches together.