NATIVE FAITH AND STRAIGHT EDGE: BUILDING THE ARYAN SPIRIT IN THE EXTREME RIGHT-WING SLAVIC NEOPAGANISM Cover Image

RODZIMOWIERSTWO A STRAIGHT EDGE. BUDOWANIE ARYJSKIEGO DUCHA W SKRAJNIE PRAWICOWYM NEOPOGAŃSTWIE SŁOWIAŃSKIM
NATIVE FAITH AND STRAIGHT EDGE: BUILDING THE ARYAN SPIRIT IN THE EXTREME RIGHT-WING SLAVIC NEOPAGANISM

Author(s): Mariusz Filip
Subject(s): Theology and Religion, Cultural Anthropology / Ethnology
Published by: Polskie Towarzystwo Ludoznawcze
Keywords: straight edge; Neopaganism; extreme right-wing; body; spirit; food; food restrictions; stimulants;

Summary/Abstract: Neopaganism is not simply a ‘religion of freedom’. There are paths where order, discipline and restriction are foundations of religious practice and this is particularly true regarding the extreme right-wing Neopaganism. Since these ideas manifest themselves largely in the field of food and drink, it seems sound to draw an analogy with the left-wing straight edge subculture. Due to relation between skinhead and punk subcultures this similarity may not be surprising, however it provokes to explore the meaning of straight edge lifestyle for extreme right-wing Neopagans. Focusing on the Order of Zadruga ‘Northern Wolf’ from Poland, I will demonstrate that straight edge way of life serve not the purpose of building the body but rather the spirit. The strong, healthy body is important for executing the role of Aryan warrior but it does not explain neither why alcohol and drug prohibition goes hand in hand with anti-miscegenation rules nor their significance. Cleanness is understood in spiritual terms and straight edge is largely used for maintaining the symbolic boundaries against other extreme right-wing Neopagans.

  • Issue Year: 102/2018
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 471-491
  • Page Count: 21
  • Language: Polish