Primary mechanism of cooperation Ritual is widespread in the animal kingdom where cautious communication is required Deep evolutionary history Primate social rituals As highly social creatures primates have a wealth of social rituals ID: 391741
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Slide1
Ritual: Primary mechanism of cooperation
Ritual is widespread in the animal kingdom where cautious communication is requiredDeep evolutionary historySlide2
Primate social rituals
As highly social creatures primates have a wealth of social ritualsSlide3
Purposes of ritual:
social signaling: Stotting among antelope; Thrice daily prayer among Orthodox Jews group cohesion
: grooming in primates; initiation rites among traditional societies, modern social groups (fraternities); Coordinated actions produce greater with-in group cooperation.hazard avoidance
: ritualized behaviors increase at social “stress” or transition points. Submission, appeasement, tolerance, reconciliation gestures among primates.
Bell (1997, p. 160) If ritual had a voice it would say: “
This is different, deliberate, and
significant—pay attention
!”
It is the unparallel capacity to send and heed ritual’s message that sets humans apart from other animals
Eventually for humans
: Ritual imposes meaning on life, supersedes life itself (biology). Ex: Biology controls maturation but ritual defines adulthood. Biology controls birth, death, mating, illness, etc; but rituals imposes structure, meaning, legitimacy, etc. on all. Ritual is larger than lifeSlide4
Social rituals in traditional societies
3 typesRituals of trust-building and reconciliationRituals of initiationShamanistic healing rituals
3 points: models for the past; cognitively demanding; fitness enhancingGood analogy: graduation ceremony, ritual demands of larger group vs. kin biased inclinationsSlide5
Peacemaking and reconciliation
Ammassalik drum matchYanamamo truce ritualThose more able to make peace gained a fitness advantage through increased access to resources via reciprocal exchange alliancesSlide6
Rituals of initiation
70% of traditional societies have adolescent rites of initiation. Severity increases with the harshness of living conditionsThose more able to endure demanding rituals gained a fitness advantage through status and prestigeIntense, high ordeal rituals lead to stronger emotional attachment to group; greater in-group generositySlide7
Shamanistic healing ritualsShamanism is ubiquitous among traditional societies
Ritual healing practices involving ASC are effective for a range of maladiesSlide8
Evolution of ritualMilestones:
3mybp: birthing big-headed babies (from DeSilva, 2010)Slide9
Evolution of ritual
Losing hair: 3mybp-1.2mybpHost switch of body louse Pthirus from gorilla to human (from Reed et al, 2007)Mutation in gene melanocortin
i receptor (MCiR) Making ‘dangerous’
handaxes: .5mypComposite tools: .3mybpControl of fire: 200,000Trade, global migration: 70,000
ybp
Inter-group marriage
Increasing social differentiation – emerging social normsSlide10
Red Ochre Rituals
First appears in archaeological record 400-300ybpUbiquitous in female initiation rituals S. African traditional societies Female Cosmetics Coalition hypo – females bonded together for resourcing of infants, first “true” ritualsEncephalization
: two steps, 700,000 and 200,000 ybp, Neanderthals later, 70,000ybpSecond step critical for pair-bondingSlide11
Red ochre in Africa vs. Europe Slide12
Migrations and Seasonality