Book Launch: A New Testament by Tone Bleie

This book redefines the complex socio-political and religious landscapes shaped by Scandinavian missionaries and their interactions with Santal, Boro, and Bengali communities in colonial and post-colonial South Asia. It offers an engaging and multifaceted portrayal of the historical connections between missionary influence and broader changes in East India, North Bangladesh, and East Nepal, exploring themes such as power, cultural transformation, and resistance.

Programme

• Welcome and Introduction
  Michael Heneise (UiT) will introduce the author and set the context for the evening’s discussion.
• Author Presentation
  Tone Bleie will share insights into her research process, the challenges of tracing overlooked histories, and the significance of this book for scholars of missionary history, postcolonial studies, and Indigenous narratives.
• In-depth Conversation
  A moderated discussion will delve into the book’s main themes, including cross-cultural encounters, the impact of British colonial rule, Danish missionary work, and shifting dynamics of local governance and religious authority. In addition, we will discuss research methodologies, and how this project has uniquely engaged with local communities, with Norwegian as well as in-region archives.  
• Audience Q&A
  Attendees will have the opportunity to ask Tone Bleie questions directly and discuss the book’s impact on contemporary understandings of Scandinavian transnational history and South Asian ethnohistory.
• Book Signing 
  Tone Bleie will sign copies of A New Testament for attendees. 

About the Book
In A New Testament, Tone Bleie delves into the complex and often overlooked histories of Scandinavian missionaries’ interactions with Indigenous communities in South Asia. Readers are guided through carefully researched historical periods—from medieval Denmark and British East India Company rule to post-independence South Asia. This rich material is relevant for students and researchers in fields such as Scandinavian transnational history, missionary studies, religious studies, museum studies, subaltern history, and Indigenous studies.

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet the author, engage with thought-provoking ideas, and explore a part of history that bridges cultures, continents, and centuries.

Practical Information

• Registration: No registration is required
• Admission: Free

For more information, please contact michael.t.heneise@uit.no