Lecture 6

Question 1

what is Malinowski’s functionalism

Answer 1

“Since conservatism is the most important trend in a primitive society, sorcery on the whole is a beneficent agency, of enormous value for early culture” (Crime and Custom, 94).

Question 2

what peoples did a dancing at an initiation

Answer 2

Zande abinsa (witchdoctors) dancing at an initiation.

Question 3

talk about Audrey Richards, Chisungu: A Girls’ Initiation Ceremony among the Bemba of Zambia

Answer 3

The Bemba girl, on the last night of her initiation ceremony, handles meticulously constructed pottery figurines (mbusa) and rehearses the songs associated with them.
This stage in the ceremonial cycle consists of “legal acts involving the girl in the public assumption of her new duties” (168).

Question 4

what did malinowski say about functionalism in contrast to Richards

Answer 4

Malinowski: Emphasis on group ties, reciprocity, social structure.
Richards: Psychological function, provides the girl with confidence in the assumption of adult duties, sense of security, clear knowledge of social roles and obligations.

Malinowski: synchronic analysis, emphasis on stability, order.
Richards: symbolism = diachronic qualities. Secret meanings of mbusa produce new repetitions, questions, answers, guesses. Interpretations of symbols can change with the times, flexibility in public morality. “Function of symbols open to shifting emotions, multiple interpretations, changes in behavioural influence. Security and flexibility.