Open Access“I Was Not Willing to Risk my Hajj”
Author(s) -
Nadia Caidi
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journeys
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1752-2358
pISSN - 1465-2609
DOI - 10.3167/jys.2020.210103
Subject(s) - hajj , pilgrimage , context (archaeology) , social psychology , negotiation , meaning (existential) , coping (psychology) , psychology , sociology , social science , history , psychotherapist , ancient history , archaeology , islam
Information phenomena and behaviors underlie every aspect of contemporary life, including spiritual/religious experiences. Pilgrimage as an information context provides insights into the nature of information and knowledge in the lives of individuals undergoing such transformational experiences. Findings based on interviews with twelve Hajj pilgrims suggest that their information practices are varied and transcend both individual (cognitive, affective) and social processes (through shared imaginaries and a wide network of people and resources). As pilgrims prepare for and complete the rituals, then return home, they make use of a range of coping strategies from triangulation and validation to information avoidance. Examining the information strategies of Hajj pilgrims provide us with insights into their processes of negotiating meaning in shifting and unknown contexts.