Chapter 10 Flashcards
**Play
A framing (or orienting context) that is (1) consciously adopted by the players, (2) somehow pleasurable, and (3) systemically related to what is non play by alluding to the nonplay world and by transforming the objects, roles, actions, and relations of ends and means characteristic of the nonplay world.
metacommunication
Communication about the process of communication itself.
framing
A cognitive boundary that marks certain behaviors as “play” or as “ordinary life.”
**reflexivity
Critical thinking about the way one thinks; reflection on one’s own experience.
**art
Play with form producing some aesthetically successful transformation-representation.
myths
Stories that recount how various aspects of the world came to be the way they are. The power of myths comes from their ability to make life meaningful for those who accept them. The truth of myths seems self-evident because they effectively integrate personal experiences with a wider set of assumptions about how the world works.
orthodoxy
“Correct doctrine”; the prohibition of deviation from approved mythic texts.
**ritual
A repetitive social practice composed of a sequence of symbolic activities in the form of dance, song, speech, gestures, or the manipulation of objects; adhering to a culturally defined ritual schema; and closely connected to a specific set of ideas that are often encoded in myth.
**rite of passage
A ritual that serves to mark the movement and transformation of an individual from one social position to another.
liminality
The ambiguous transitional state in a rite of passage in which the person or persons undergoing the ritual are outside their ordinary social positions.
communitas
An unstructured or minimally structured community of equal individuals found frequently in rites of passage.
orthopraxy
“Correct practice”; the prohibition of deviation from approved forms of ritual behavior.
**worldviews
Encompassing pictures of reality created by the members of societies.
**religion
“Ideas and practices that postulate reality beyond that which is immediately available to the senses” (Bowen 2002).
**shaman
A part-time religious practitioner who is believed to have the power to contact supernatural forces directly on behalf of individuals or groups.
**priest
A religious practitioner skilled in the practice of religious rituals, which he or she carries out for the benefit of the group.
witchcraft
The performance of evil by human beings believed to possess an innate, nonhuman power to do evil, whether or not it is intentional or self-aware.
magic
A set of beliefs and practices designed to control the visible or invisible world for specific purposes.
oracles
Invisible forces to which people address questions and whose responses they believe to be truthful.
syncretism
The synthesis of old religious practices (or an old way of life) with new religious practices (or a new way of life) introduced from outside, often by force.
revitalization
A conscious, deliberate, and organized attempt by some members of a society to create a more satisfying culture in a time of crisis.
nativism
A return to the old ways; a movement whose members expect a messiah or prophet who will bring back a lost golden age of peace, prosperity, and harmony.
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AFC Wallaces Minimal Categories of Religious Behavior
Prayer: way of addressing cosmic forcesPhysiological Exercise: inducing ecstatic spiritual stateExhortation: certain people have closer relationships with cosmic forces than othersMana: impersonal superhuman power believed to be transferableTaboo: objects/people can’t be touchedFeasts: eating and drinking in religious contextSacrifice: giving something of value to invisible forces or their agents
Physiological Exercise (min categories o religion), what are four ways of inducing it?
inducing ecstatic spiritual state thru drugs, sensory deprivation, mortification of flesh by pain, sleeplessness or fatigue, and deprivation of food, air and water
Examples of mana
.laying on of hands, healing power enters body of sick to remove illness.cameroon, ppl believe ink used to copy passages from Qur’an have power, drink it.
Examples of taboos
.Catholics not to touch Host during communion.Jews may not touch handwritten text of biblical scrolls.ancient polynesia, commoners couldn’t touch chief.foods may or may not eat
Examples of Feast
.Holy Communion of Catholics and Protestants.Passover Seder for Jews.Huichol of Mexico and consumption of peyote.everyday meals sometimes begin with prayer
Azande and Witchcraft
.blame witchcraft for most misfortune, unless cause is obvious.older the witch the more dangerous.people react with anger to witchcraft.consulted oracles to expose witches by poisoning chickens.people usually unaware of themselves being witches
Origin of Halloween
Began 2kya in Ireland, England, Northern France with festival of Samhain of the celts (origins in pagan religion)
How did Festival of Samhain change?
Rise of christianity changed it to All Saints Day, to honor saints.they then made a day called all souls day for the next day, for honoring the dead
Orthodoxy
myths that are codified and can lead to punishment of those who question them
Orthopraxy
When every act of everyday life is ritualized and other forms of behavior strongly discouraged.traditionally practice by jews and muslims
What happened on All Souls Day?
.Ghosts of the dead returned to earth.People would where disguises to hide from ghosts.carving of turnips as lanterns (later pumpkins).collection of soul cakes, now practice by children who collect candy.would originally get cakes for praying for the dead to people
Worldviews
.encompassing pictures of reality created by members of societies.people use shared cultural assumptions about how the world works
