ANTH 130 Chapter Notes - Chapter 9: Polytheism, Liminality, Cargo Cult
Document Summary
Religion- belief and ritual concerned with supernatural beings, powers, and forces. Communities- intense community spirit; a feeling of great social solidarity, equality, and togetherness. Animism- the soul was one sort of spiritual entity. Monotheism- belief in a single, all powerful deity. Mana- sacred impersonal force existing in the universe. Taboo- set apart as sacred and off-limits to ordinary people. Magic- supernatural techniques intended to accomplish speci c aims. Rituals- formal; performed in special places and at set times. Rites of passage- customs associated with the transition from one place or stage of life to another: con rmations, baptism, bar/bat mitzvahs, etc, phases: Liminality- exist apart from ordinary distinctions and expectations. Ex votos- plastic impressions of every conceivable body part. Leveling mechanism- custom or social action that operates to reduce status differences and thus to bring standouts in line with community norms.
