ANTH 4751 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Clitoridectomy, Menarche, Liminality
Document Summary
Ritual [the anthropology of religion, magic, and witchcraft] Ritual can refer to any repetitive sequence of acts. When ritual involves manipulation of religious symbols such as prayers, offerings, and readings of sacred literature, we call it a religious ritual. Ritual resembles a play; a reflection of the culture of a society and that society"s worldview. Symbolize the particular beliefs and values of that community. Vehicle by which basic ideas (definition of good and evil and the proper nature of social relationships) are imparted to the group. Situational/crisis rituals: performed because of a particular need of an individual or a community. Periodic/calendrical rituals: being performed on a regular basis as part of a religious calendar; may be performed daily or several times a day; may be performed weekly. Occasional rituals: performed when a particular need arises, such as marriage or death; specific purpose arises hat requires the ritual to be performed (birth, marriage, death)
