Pilgrimage in the Twenty-First Century

Book excerpt: Pilgrimage in the Twenty-First Century: A Kaleidoscopic Inquiry showcases the rich diversity of religious and secular pilgrimage on the world stage. Scholars from the Global North and South working in diverse fields in the humanities and social sciences share their research on the nature of pilgrimage—otherwise known as travel for transformation—providing insight into why it is one of the fastest growing segments of the worldwide tourism industry. Topics under scrutiny include the ancient history of pilgrimage, pilgrimage in literature, the development of new trails and the refurbishment of others, pilgrimage as an avenue for justice and peacebuilding, as an example of intangible cultural heritage, and as a unique driver of domestic economies. Each chapter in this survey—covering more than fifteen countries—makes a significant contribution to our understanding of this age-old and multi-faceted phenomenon that is central to our understanding of what it means to be human.