Presentation on theme: "Approaches to Rituals Theoretical analysis"— Presentation transcript
Slide1
Approaches to Rituals
Theoretical analysis
Slide2
Secular Ritual
Religious
Ritual
Deeper Meaning of Ritual
Symbolic actions and objects
Slide3
The Need for Ritual
Food
– ritual killing of animals, hunting
Eg
. Ainu (Japan), North American Indian Tribe
bear rituals
Warmth/Shelter – Bolivian Witches’ MarketCompanionship – daily social rituals (movies)Communication - Catholic CommunionPurification – Hindu Kumb Melha FestivalPacification – Funeral / Burial Hindu CeremonyMaintain Order – Initiation Ceremonies Indigenous Australians
Slide4
What kinds of rituals?
Rites of passage
: North American girls’ ‘
Coming of Age
’
Crisis
CelebrationWorship
Slide5
Rites of Passage
A ritual marking a time when the status of an individual changes: ritual dramas of birth, initiation, marriage and death:
largely individual oriented
Non-recurrent.
Anticipated.
Bar Mitzvah
Graduation21st Birthday
Slide6
Calendrical Rites
CyclicalOrganised
by community
Turning points of socio-economic seasons
Eg
. New Year ritual:
Group orientedRecurrent – linking people with social worldAnticipated with entrances and exits.
Slide7
Diwali
Diwali is certainly one of the biggest, brightest and most important festivals of India. While Diwali is popularly known as the "festival of lights". The celebration of Diwali as the "victory of good over evil" refers to the light of higher knowledge dispelling all ignorance. While the story behind Diwali and the manner of celebration of the festival differ greatly depending on the region, the essence of the festival remains the same - the celebration of life, its enjoyment and goodness.
Slide8
Crisis Rites
Rituals performed at times of hardship (sickness, drought, flood, social anxiety)
Slide9
Celebration
Celebrates special events and dates (Christmas)
Slide10
Worship
Rituals that worship a God or Gods. Usually involves some kind of prayer.
Slide11
Lovat
Read pg. 27
– Beginning, Middle, End approach
- 5 steps
Slide12
Structure of Ritual:
Terence Lovat
Return:
Leaves the ritual and returns to ordinary world
Entry:
Leave the ordinary world and enter the ritual
Preparation: Preparatory rite/activityClimax: Experience of a central highpointCelebration: Joins in a celebration of the ritual
Slide13
`
Slide14
Structure of
Haka (during a football match)
Walk onto field
Get into formation
The performing of the
Haka
The crowd and the team celebrateFind positions for kick off
Slide15
Task
Think of a secular ritual and a religious ritual.
Complete Lovat’s pyramid for the two rituals
Slide16
Arnold van
Gennep:
Read
Pg
26 Text
Mainly for rites of passage rituals (a ritual where someone transitions from one stage of life to another)Pre-liminal: Separating from the previous lifeLiminal: Transitioning from one stage to anotherPost-liminal: A new status or state of life
Slide17
Gennep
Example for a surgical operation:
Slide18Slide19
Task
Break down the
crocodile skin ritual
into the three phases.
Pre-liminal
:
Separating from the previous lifeLiminal: Transitioning from one stage to anotherPost-liminal: A new status or state of life
Slide20
Task
Break down this transition into the following three phases.
Going from Primary school to High school
Slide21
Victor Turner
Text p.26
3 Meanings:
Exegetical (subjective) – explained by person performing the ritual
Operational (objective) – observable by the outsider; purpose of the ritual in society
Positional – symbols used & relationships between them.
Slide22
Liminality:
Looks at what different people
experience in the
liminal
phase
Slide23
Rituals in World Religions
Questions:
Why do you think there have been attempts throughout history to deny a role for ritual in religion?
Why do you think religion invests so much energy into ritual?
Define in your own words the following group rituals and give examples:
Totemic
CalendricalCeremonialRites of PassageCrisis Rites
