Rosaries and Prayerbooks: Sacred Objects of Spirituality and Religion on Antarctica

In the language, literature, and culture of Antarctica, religion and spirituality have always played a supremely valuable, yet glaringly overlooked, role. For some people, like Antarctica itself, spirituality and religion often go unnoticed in their daily lives. Very slowly, as global warming and climate change have started to affect more people’s lives in an increasingly negative way, Antarctica is slowing revealing itself in its fullness and power. As both Poles begin to unveil their strengths (and sadly, weaknesses), it is also time to examine the foundational aspects of many pieces of literature, as well as previously unrevealed and unstudied things found on Antarctica: objects of spirituality and religion. This essay seeks to explore these things and objects, whether tangible or intangible, whether past or present. Just like the construction of a house of worship, I will beging with the foundational things of religion and spirituality, which is more than just a church, temple, beach, mountain, or chapel. Then, I will continue with what many would consider the “big” things of religion and spirituality, followed by the “little” things, which are innumerable. Finally, the intangible things of religion and spirituality, as found and practiced on and about Antarctica, I will attempt to analyze. The intent is to offer here a new perspective on the sacredness of Antarctica, with the hope of growing increased awareness of concern about, and passion for Antarctica, and indeed, our planet and humanity at large.