Paper short abstract:

In this paper, I argue that cultural practices influence the pattern, interpretation and value of joy and I ask, what might an academic focus on joy contribute to our post-pandemic world?

Paper long abstract:

Is joy an emotion, a trait, the glue of group cohesion, a gift? In this talk, I bring research on the anthropology of religion into dialogue with recent work in medical anthropology to explore the place and meaning of joy cross culturally. I examine joy as both a collective experience and as a practice of self-cultivation. I argue that collective effervescence and the cultivation of joy are profoundly important human experiences that are central to human connection. And that, while there may be commonalities to experiences of joy in diverse settings, joy is strongly shaped by culture. In this paper, I bring together narratives of religious faith, theories of group cohesion and practices of self-cultivation to expand our understanding of joy. I argue that cultural practices influence the pattern, interpretation and value of joy and I ask, what might an academic focus on joy contribute to our post-pandemic world?