Ritual Flashcards
What is Ritual?
It is a stylized symbolic action.
It is how people enact their religion
What is Rite of Passage and its 3 main parts?
It is a ritual that marks a change in status. It consists of separation, transition and incorporation
Explain Separation in Rite of Passage
it is a symbol of separation from the old status.
eg: funeral: coffin
Explain Transition in Rite of Passage
One is in between statuses and the norms of the status is reinforced.
eg: vows in American Protestant wedding
graduation speech
chanting, praying in funerals
Explain Incorporation in Rite of Passage
It is a symbol of entry into a new status
eg: rings
put the coffin into the ground
What is Rite of Intensification?
It is a ritual increases the group’s feelings about itself
eg: war dances / songs
4th of July: parade, hot dogs, fire works
What is Rite of License / Rite of Rebellion / Rite of Reverse?
It is a ritual that gives on permission to do something that one normally cannot do but only during the ritual.
Eg: Halloween, Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday before Ash Wednesday), Bachelor Party
What is the function of Rite of License / Rite of Rebellion / Rite of Reverse?
It is to reinforce the proper behavior by acting out the opposite.
What is Liminal?
The stage of a ritual, particularly a rite of passage, in which one has passed out of an old status but has not yet entered a new one.
eg: hijras, nun, priest have liminal social status
What is Communitas?
A state of perceived solidarity, equality, and unity among people sharing a religious ritual, often characterized by intense emotion.
What is Antistructure?
The socially sanctioned use of behavior that radically violates social norms; frequently found in religious rituals.
