Genres Ritual

1 genres

1.1 rites of passage
1.2 calendrical , commemorative rites
1.3 rites of exchange , communion
1.4 rites of affliction
1.5 rites of feasting, fasting , festivals
1.6 political rituals

genres

for simplicity s sake, range of diverse rituals can divided categories common characteristics. rituals can fall in more 1 genre.

rites of passage

a rite of passage ritual event marks person s transition 1 status another, including birth, coming-of-age, marriage, death initiation groups not tied formal stage of life such fraternity. arnold van gennep stated rites of passage marked 3 stages: separation, transition , incorporation. in first stage, initiates separated old identities through physical , symbolic means. in transition phase, betwixt , between . victor turner argued stage marked liminality, condition of ambiguity or disorientation in initiates have been stripped of old identities, have not yet acquired new one. turner states attributes of liminality or of liminal personae ( threshold people ) ambiguous. in stage of liminality or anti-structure (see below) initiates role ambiguity creates sense of communitas or emotional bond of community between them. stage may marked ritual ordeals or ritual training. in final stage of incorporation, initiates symbolically confirmed in new identity , community.

calendrical , commemorative rites

calendrical , commemorative rites ritual events marking particular times of year, or fixed period since important event. calendrical rituals give social meaning passage of time, creating repetitive weekly, monthly or yearly cycles. rites oriented towards seasonal changes, , may fixed solar or lunar calendar. fixed solar calendar fall on same day (of gregorian, solar calendar) each year (such new years day on first of january) while calculated lunar calendar fall on different dates (of gregorian, solar calendar) each year (such chinese lunar new year). calendrical rites impose cultural order on nature. mircea eliade states calendrical rituals of many religious traditions recall , commemorate basic beliefs of community, , yearly celebration establishes link between past , present, if original events happening on again: gods did; men do.

rites of exchange , communion

this genre of ritual encompasses forms of sacrifice , offering meant praise, please or placate divine powers. according anthropologist edward tylor, such sacrifices gifts given in hope of return. catherine bell, however, points out sacrifice covers range of practices manipulative , magical of pure devotion. hindu puja, example, appear have no other purpose please deity.

according marcel mauss, sacrifice distinguished other forms of offering being consecrated, , hence sanctified. consequence, offering destroyed in ritual transfer deities.

rites of affliction

anthropologist victor turner defines rites of affliction actions seek mitigate spirits inflict humans misfortune. these rites may include forms of spirit divination (consulting oracles) establish causes—and rituals heal, purify, exorcise, , protect. misfortune experienced may include individual health, broader climate-related issues such drought or plagues of insects. healing rites performed shamans identify social disorder cause, , make restoration of social relationships cure.

turner uses example of isoma ritual among ndembu of northwestern zambia illustrate. isoma rite of affliction used cure childless woman of infertility. infertility result of structural tension between matrilineal descent , virilocal marriage (i.e., tension woman feels between mother s family, whom owes allegiance, , husband s family among whom must live). because woman has come closely in touch man s side in marriage dead matrikin have impaired fertility. correct balance of matrilinial descent , marriage, isoma ritual dramatically placates deceased spirits requiring woman reside mother s kin.

masquerade @ carnival of venice.

shamanic , other ritual may effect psychotherapeutic cure, leading anthropologists such jane atkinson theorize how. atkinson argues effectiveness of shamanic ritual individual may depend upon wider audiences acknowledging shaman s power, may lead shaman placing greater emphasis on engaging audience in healing of patient.

rites of feasting, fasting , festivals

rites of feasting , fasting through community publicly expresses adherence basic, shared religious values, rather overt presence of deities found in rites of affliction feasting or fasting may take place. encompasses range of performances such communal fasting during ramadan muslims; slaughter of pigs in new guinea; carnival festivities; or penitential processions in catholicism. victor turner described cultural performance of basic values social drama . such dramas allow social stresses inherent in particular culture expressed , worked out symbolically in ritual catharsis; social tensions continue persist outside ritual, pressure mounts ritual s cyclical performance. in carnaval, example, practice of masking allows people not, , acts general social leveller, erasing otherwise tense social hierarchies in festival emphasizes play outside bounds of normal social limits. yet outside carnival, social tensions of race, class , gender persist, hence requiring repeated periodic release found in festival.

political rituals

according anthropologist clifford geertz, political rituals construct power; is, in analysis of balinese state, argued rituals not ornament of political power, power of political actors depends upon ability create rituals , cosmic framework within social hierarchy headed king perceived natural , sacred. dramaturgy of power comprehensive ritual systems may create cosmological order sets ruler apart divine being, in divine right of european kings, or divine japanese emperor. political rituals emerge in form of uncodified or codified conventions practiced political officials cement respect arrangements of institution or role against individual temporarily assuming it, can seen in many rituals still observed within procedure of parliamentary bodies.

ritual can used form of resistance, example, in various cargo cults developed against colonial powers in south pacific. in such religio-political movements, islanders use ritual imitations of western practices (such building of landing strips) means of summoning cargo (manufactured goods) ancestors. leaders of these groups characterized present state (often imposed colonial capitalist regimes) dismantling of old social order, sought restore.