스와힐리 디니(Dini)와 밀라(Mila): 잔지바르의 일상에서 종교와 관습의 상호작용

Abstract

Zanzibar, a cornerstone of Swahili civilization, developed a distinctive form of “Swahili Islam” (Middleton 1992, p. 179). The key feature of Swahili Islam lies in the intertwining of absolute submission to dini—a concept synonymous with Islam—and mila, which represents long-standing local customs (kwaida or desturi). Dini refers the absolute submission to Allah which is the sole God to muslim. In contrast, mila signifies Islamised local customs or 'traditions'. Over centuries, Islam in Zanzibar has merged with local customs, and elements of local belief systems, resulting in a creolised form of Islam. This historical process underpins the hybrid identity of Zanzibar Islam. Among these customs, those accepted under Islamic principles are categorised as halali mila (good mila), thus incorporated into the Islamic domain. Conversely, practices deemed against Islamic principles are classified as haramu mila (bad mila) and excluded from the world of Islam. The challenge lies in the ambiguous boundaries between halali mila and haramu mila, as their interpretation often varies depending on the context. This ambiguity stems from the historical process through which Islam in Zanzibar actively engaged with and blended into local customs, fostering a process of localisation. Simultaneously, local customs underwent Islamisation. This mutual integration of local traditions and Islamic principles has rendered the distinction between the two domains increasingly blurred. Therefore, to understand the nature of Zanzibar Islam, it is essential to first explore the relationship between mila and local customs. While dini reflects the universal and enduring attributes of the Islamic world, mila actively embodies the localized characteristics of Islam. Therefore, this study focuses on the Islamisation of local culture and belief systems.