The significance of indigenous religions in modern society and the neglect of such traditions in academic religious studies programs will be examined during a conference to be held at UC Davis March 28-31. Titled "Beyond 'Primitivism': Indigenous Religious Traditions and Modernity," the international conference will feature speakers talking about how indigenous religions are now receiving more academic attention from scholars who want to improve understanding of such traditions. "Even though they are present on every continent of the world, indigenous religions have received only superficial attention by religious studies departments," says Jacob Olupona, a UC Davis professor of African American and African studies who is convening the conference. It will be held in MU II of the Memorial Union. Examples of such traditions in the United States include numerous Native American religious traditions and even a 1994 U.S. Supreme Court decision in favor of a Florida church that follows the Santeria Tradition in which animal sacrifices are performed. "Public reaction to these practices speaks to the need for a scholarly understanding of these traditions," Olupona says. Scholars from Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, Europe, Australia and the United States will speak at the conference.