Conceptions et socialisation javanaises de la mort. Les funérailles comme orientation active du rapport au temps et des valeurs

Abstract

This article reflects on the Javanese view of death, based notably on first-hand accounts of ritual masters, their conceptions and ritual practices. Existing ethnographic literature on Javanese funerary rituals is largely descriptive and delves little into conceptual issues. A comparative analysis of the literature and first-hand data reveals that death must ultimately be understood in relation to the social action of ancestors called to be reborn or not. Considered from this angle, it is possible to define various types of action that do not lead to ancestralisation as well as define various categories of death. Ultimately, these categories induce the different types of action and social relations of the living. The perspective is notably based on Robert Hertz’s observations on funerary rites and the central role and unique configuration of second funerals in Java.