Ritual Research Articles

Choburak-I – a necropolis of the Rouran period in the Northern Altai

The article presents the results of studying materials obtained during excavations of the Bulan-Koby necropolis identified as part of the large multi-temporal archaeological complex Choburak-I. This site, located in Chemal district of the Altai Republic, is being studied by an expedition from Altai State University. The burial ground included 12 mounds, which contained undisturbed burials of seven men, three women, a teenager and a child. The key features of the ritual practice identified during the excavations include a small stone mound with an oval stonework-crepidoma; shallow graves; single human inhumation; the head of the dead person pointing northwest; accompanying burial of a horse, laid “at the feet” and on top of the deceased. Representative grave goods was found in the burials, including weapons, items of human equipment, tools and household products, ornaments, as well as horse harness. An analysis of these finds makes it possible to determine the time of construction of the Choburak-I necropolis as the middle – second half of the 4th century AD, which is confirmed by the results of radiocarbon dating. An assumption was made about the short period of the burial ground functioning (no more than 30 years). It was established that this complex belongs to the Dialian tradition of ritual practice of the Bulan-Koby population, the bearers of which constituted the elite of the Northern Altai nomads in the Rouran period.

Archaeological evidence of an ethnographically documented Australian Aboriginal ritual dated to the last ice age

In societies without writing, ethnographically known rituals have rarely been tracked back archaeologically more than a few hundred years. At the invitation of GunaiKurnai Aboriginal Elders, we undertook archaeological excavations at Cloggs Cave in the foothills of the Australian Alps. In GunaiKurnai Country, caves were not used as residential places during the early colonial period (mid-nineteenth century CE), but as secluded retreats for the performance of rituals by Aboriginal medicine men and women known as ‘mulla-mullung’, as documented by ethnographers. Here we report the discovery of buried 11,000- and 12,000-year-old miniature fireplaces with protruding trimmed wooden artefacts made of Casuarina wood smeared with animal or human fat, matching the configuration and contents of GunaiKurnai ritual installations described in nineteenth-century ethnography. These findings represent 500 generations of cultural transmission of an ethnographically documented ritual practice that dates back to the end of the last ice age and that contains Australia’s oldest known wooden artefacts.

חוויית אסירות המחתרות בבית לחם, 1947-1939: היבטים מגדריים

Bethlehem prison was the only women’s prison in Palestine during the British Mandate. It housed over two hundred Jewish women, mainly from the Irgun and Lehi underground movements. This article describes, for the first time, the experience of the women in Bethlehem prison and analyzes it using gender tools. Their experiences were documented and preserved in ego-documents that include personal letters, diaries, and subsequently written memoirs. The analysis of gender content in the writings of the women in Bethlehem prison focuses the discussion on a number of components: their relations with Jewish prisoners accused of criminal offenses and with Arab prisoners; feminine outward markers and concern about external appearance and the women’s physical and medical needs; family and motherhood behind bars; and also, spiritual elements, including ritual practice in female environments. We also discuss elements that do not appear in their writings, including feminist themes or at least those interpreted as feminist in a modern reading. All of this sheds light on the unique perspective of the woman fighter in the Revisionist movement and adds another layer to the history of women and gender in the Jewish Yishuv and the study of the underground movements

Twelve thousand years of ritual practice.

Twelve thousand years of ritual practice.

FORMATION OF A PLURALISTIC SOCIETY IN KASARAGOD: A HISTORICAL STUDY

Kasaragod in the northern part of Kerala State has its own cultural background from ancient period onwards. The people of this area is still living there without considering social, religious and caste differences that may be started since the Pre-historic period. Like any other civilized society, the people of Kasaragod also very much imbibed by their traditional beliefs and ritual practices handed down from generation to generation.Politically, this region has been witnessed plenty of military conquests. The geographical features, early political conquests, religious migration and the commercial contacts paved the way for the development of a composite culture in Kasaragod. Because of the external contacts, new type of beliefs and ritual practices came into the life of the native people at Kasaragod. In the course of time, it became a meeting ground of different communities with mutual co-existence and thereby a multi-cultural society developed in the northern part of Malabar.The present study is an attempt to know the general features of Kasaragod and to discuss how a pluralistic society developed in the northernmost part of Kerala.

Modern Islam and Indonesian Culture; Evolving Rituals and Institutions

In Indonesian culture, Islam is not just a religion but also a system that influences and adapts to local traditions. This study explores the complex relationship between Islam and Indonesian culture, focusing on the roles of rituals and institutions. This research aims to explain Islam and Indonesian culture (Rituals and Institutions). This study employs library research with a descriptive qualitative approach. Data collection involves sourcing relevant references for this research, such as journal articles, books, and other scientific writings. The data is then analyzed using data reduction, presentation, and conclusion. The results show that Islamic art and culture have significantly contributed to Indonesia's cultural wealth. For example, architectural art with unique forms of mosques, tombs, and other buildings reflects Islamic architectural styles. Calligraphy is also an important part of Islamic art in Indonesia, with beautiful Arabic writings and profound meanings. In preaching, the Walisongo utilized local traditions before Islam, which were then Islamized as long as they did not contradict Islamic law. This aligns with the principles of ushul fiqh.

Schémas de représentations des imaginaires et signifiants culturels et gestion des indices de souffrance psychiqusi dae de l’enfant handicapé en Afrique

This research aims to show the impact of patterns of representations of imaginaries and cultural signifiers in the psychic suffering of children living with a disability. Indeed, in traditional African societies, the child occupies a privileged place and status which is inspired by its origins linked to the representations of imaginaries and cultural signifiers, which are related to those of the parents and the community. Despite this status and this place, the child with a disability finds himself in a difficult situation, because of his deficiency, his incapacity, his difficulty in participating in social life and psychological suffering which are the result of belonging to two diametrically opposed universes. If in this situation we do not conceive or name the psychic suffering of the child, the imagination and popular language are nonetheless full of characterizations of the malaise and the suffering of the child. The final situation that emerges from this research is that if psychic suffering can be considered as an indelible mark in a mentally disturbed and physically inoperative subject, the therapist can, through well-organized ritual practices, play the role of mediator between the visible world and the invisible world in order to reactivate and revitalize the psychic authorities of the sick subject and thus facilitate his integration into the society of the living

The Religious Aspect of Confucianism During The Ly-Tran Dynasties, Vietnam

This article explores the religious dimensions of Confucianism during the Ly-Tran dynasties (1009-1400 AD) in Vietnam, a period marked by significant sociopolitical and cultural transitions. Initially introduced as a moral and ethical philosophy from China, Confucianism underwent a complex process of localization, blending with indigenous Vietnamese beliefs and practices as well as Buddhism and Taoism. Through historical records, literary works, and ritual practices documented in “The Complete Annals of Đại Việt” and other classical texts, this study delves into how Confucianism not only served as a guiding principle for governance, education, and social norms but also manifested religious aspects that influenced spiritual and religious life in Vietnam. The religious aspects of Confucianism during this era are evident in several key areas. Firstly, the concept of Heaven (Tian) and the Mandate of Heaven played a crucial role in legitimizing royal authority, with rulers and Confucian scholars frequently invoking divine will to justify political actions and social order. This sacralization of monarchy underpinned by Confucian ideals facilitated the integration of Confucianism into Vietnamese spiritual life. Secondly, the incorporation of Confucian rituals and practices, such as the Heaven Worship Ceremony (Tế Giao) and the veneration of Confucius and other sages at the Temple of Literature, highlights the religious dimensions of Confucian practice, emphasizing reverence, filial piety, and the moral obligations of rulers and subjects alike. Moreover, the article discusses how Confucianism interacted with and was influenced by Buddhism and Taoism, leading to a syncretic religious landscape in Vietnam. This interaction is illustrated through the blending of Confucian principles with Buddhist and Taoist ideals, affecting notions of kingship, governance, and the cosmological order. In conclusion, the religious aspect of Confucianism during the Ly-Tran dynasties significantly contributed to the shaping of Vietnamese identity, governance, and cultural heritage. By examining the religious dimensions of Confucianism, this article provides a more nuanced understanding of its role in Vietnamese society, highlighting the complex interplay between philosophy, religion, and politics in historical Vietnam.

Government Policy towards Sectarians and Its Implementation in Tobolsk Province in 19th Century

This article examines the process of establishing the legal framework for the state’s relations with representatives of religious sectarianism, focusing on the peculiarities of the Russian Orthodox Church’s policy towards sectarianism in Tobolsk Province. A comprehensive analysis of published and unpublished archival materials is conducted, highlighting the efforts of central and local governing bodies to prevent and suppress the activities of sects that had spread in Tobolsk Province during the second half of the 19th century. By examining judicial records and periodical publications, the effectiveness of government measures in Tobolsk Province during this period is evaluated. It is demonstrated that improving the legislative basis was closely linked to gathering information about the beliefs and ritual practices of sectarians and refining the typology of religious sectarianism. The conclusion is drawn that measures to curb the spread of sectarian doctrines involved imposing penalties such as deprivation of all rights and exile of sectarians to remote regions of the country (Caucasus, Western and Eastern Siberia). The implementation of a comprehensive set of antisectarian measures by secular and ecclesiastical provincial governing bodies resulted in changes to the ritual practices of sectarians, making it difficult for authorities to identify sect affiliations, indicating a low level of effectiveness of the government’s actions.

Countryside, Borderlands, Nature—Public Art beyond the City☆

AbstractThis article emphasizes several primary realms of contemporary artistic endeavors in public art, specifically those unfolding outside urban metropolises. I analyzed the examined practices in terms of their functions and goals, the forms they take, and the problematic areas they address. This allowed for identifying certain symptomatic areas of artistic activities; domains shaped by diverse perceptions of the Polish countryside and rural life. Some feature an exploration of folk beliefs, ritual practices, religiosity, liturgy, and a connection to the land and the rhythms of nature—an ethnographic trend. Others delve into themes associated with historical heritage and the legacy of serfdom (an emancipatory trend). Moreover, I identify a trend focused on the specificity of “borderlands” and an ecological trend. The analysis focuses on questions: How does public art manifest itself beyond urban areas, particularly in rural settings? What social functions does it serve? And what significance does the examination of artistic activities hold for advancing research in rural sociology? The main aim of the article is to transpose Polish public art practice into the realm of public art in rural studies.

Gory and Ghoulish Practice among Hakki-Pikki Tribal Community of Karnataka: Offering Animals to the Gods and Spirits

The land of India witnesses numerous distinct folk rituals and ceremonial practices. Hakki Pikki belongs to a semi-nomadic tribal group that migrates from one place to another for livelihood; their deities also migrate along with them. The community resided in dense jungles for a long time and created its plant and herb based medicine systems. One of the fascinating aspects of the community is its way of life, beliefs, and traditional practices and customs. According to Hakki-Pikkis' traditional belief systems and practices, a deity, spirit, or supernatural being is the stakeholder of the sacred offering during sacrificial ritual ceremonies. The study aims to know about the origins of Hakki Pikki society, way of life, belief systems, social practices, and, chiefly, the practice of Gory and Ghoulish rituals in the community.

Cultural–Cognitive Study of Selected Death-Oriented Personal Names in Igbo

Working chiefly within the tenets of Cultural Linguistics (CL), this study examines the cultural and cognitive motivations that underlie selected death-oriented personal names among the Igbo of South-eastern Nigeria. Based on the cultural linguistic perspective, the analytical tool for the study is shaped by insights from cultural schemas, cultural categories and cultural metaphors as signifiers of ideation and social meaning. The cultural frames enable the language user to have a better understanding of the cultural and cognitive motivations that underlie the conceptualization of names and naming among the Igbo. Much has been done on the structure and sociological forms of Igbo personal names and their meanings, but only a few studies have been undertaken on the names that express the notions of death and dying in Igbo. More importantly, no previous study has used insights from Cultural Linguistics (CL) or the Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) to explain the motivations for the preponderance of death-oriented names among the Igbo people. Thus, this study specifically aims to address the lacuna. The study reveals that the Igbo, like most African and other human societies, recognize and accept the inevitability of death. Consequently, they use language in diverse forms and contexts to express their perceptions of the horrors and pains associated with the inevitability of death. Songs, proverbs and ritual practices are some of the verbal and social semiotic forms through which the Igbo express their knowledge of and attitude toward death and dying. However, names and naming are the most vivid cultural cognitive patterns by which the Igbo show their understanding of the nature of death and dying and their psychological effects on the living. Constrained by space and scope, this study identified and classified six major death-oriented names among the Igbo, as follows: names that depict the overwhelming power of death; names that make an appeal to death; names that depict death as wicked/evil/terror; names that depict death as no respecter of wealth/social class; names that challenge/mock the assumed power of death; and names that depict death as an insensitive entity. Thus, the above frames constitute the major paradigms by which the Igbo express their knowledge of and attitudes toward death and dying.

The Influence of Culture on the Cause, Diagnosis and Treatment of Serious Mental Illness (Ufufunyana): Perspectives of Traditional Health Practitioners in the Harry Gwala District, KwaZulu-Natal

Cultural beliefs influence the perceived cause, methods of diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses. A qualitative study was conducted among traditional health practitioners (THPs) in the Harry Gwala District Municipality to further explore this influence. Purposive sampling assisted in the recruitment of 31 participants (9 males and 22 females). The four key themes this study investigated in relation to mental illness included its causes, methods of diagnosis, common symptoms observed and treatment approaches used by THPs, and the system of patient management. Culturally, mental illness was reported to be caused by witchcraft and an ancestral calling in this study. Mental illness was predominantly diagnosed by spiritual intervention which included divination through consultation with the ancestors, familial background, burning of incense which can also be part of communicating with the ancestors and through examining the patient. The common symptoms included aggression, hallucination and unresponsiveness. Prevalent modes of treatment included the use of a medicinal concoction and performing cultural rituals where ancestors and other spirits were assumed influential. The duration of the treatment process was dependent on guidance from the ancestors. Most causal aspects of mental illness from diagnosis to treatment seemed to be influenced by cultural beliefs and ancestors.

Socio-Cultural and Religious Narratives and Practices Regarding Lunar Eclipse in Village Communities: A Study of Central Punjab, Pakistan

In the history of humankind, lunar eclipse has always captured attention and imaginationof human beings. This study is an anthropological attempt to describe prevailing perceptionsand myths about lunar eclipse and resultant religious and cultural practices in some of therural areas of Central Punjab, Pakistan. For this purpose, qualitative research techniques of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions have been used to understand and untanglethe strings of indigenous perpetuations about a celestial phenomenon. The research findingsshowed multiple sets of socio-cultural and religious beliefs and practices which have beenfollowed through generations that demonstrate the richness of culture and mythological value of local verbal tales. Perceptions include fear of God, remembering the dayof judgment, good or bad luck, and occurrence of disease. Practices include praying, charity, taking certain precautions to avoid the disease, and doing some religious and cultural rituals. Some unique folktales are also narrated by the respondents of the locale which have specificsocio-cultural meanings for them. The paper describes all these perceptions and practices intwo main parts: socio-cultural perceptions and practices and religious perceptions andpractices.

Artists' Statements: IJPS volume 11, issue 1

Ani Ganzala and Taya Mâ Shere first met in an artists’ commune on the sacred shores of Bahia, Brazil, and have remained close friends ever since. Their creative work is rooted in ancestral dreaming, earth reverence, and spiritual activism. The curation of Ani’s visual art with Taya’s music in this journal was sparked by their recent retreat time together. Ani’s two pieces featured here are: “Aruanda,” (this issue's cover art) which highlights the relationship between the Black Diaspora and botanical technologies for physical and spiritual healing; and “No mundo aquático dos peixes e réptais, nós sonhamos / In the aquatic world of fish and reptiles, we dream,” which depicts physical and spiritual connection through black and queer love. Taya Mâ’s music is deeply rooted in her ritual and spiritual practice. Her piece featured here, “solidarity,” is a love song for liberation, an invocation of interdependence, and a call for collective care across realms.

Burning Affair

In this introduction we want to bring attention to and provide a contextualization and analysis of the last years burning of the Quran that have taken place and still takes place in the Nordic and Scandinavian context. Whilst many countries around the world still have blasphemy laws or laws against religious hatred that protect “religion” (however defined), or religious sensibilities from being desecrated or mocked, most Western countries, including Sweden, Denmark and Norway have removed blasphemy laws and made it possible to offer critique of religion, including the right to criticize religious texts. While this special issue primarily discusses the contemporary practice of public rituals where a physical copy of the Quran is burnt, we argue that understanding why this practice has become so widespread in the Nordic region requires a historical awareness of how blasphemy, as well as freedom of religion and freedom of expression have been understood and practiced in this very specific cultural and political environment of the far corners of Europe. Besides providing a historical background, the introduction includes an overview to how Muslims have discussed how to handle copies of the Quran that have been worn-out and why the intention is important for understanding the controversy around the burning of the Quran.

Tourism Communication through Mombowa Tumpe Ritual Culture as Local Wisdom in Batui District, Banggai Regency

Today's technological developments make the flow of information flow quickly, capable of having an influence on various aspects of human life. One of the conveniences of communication is not breaking the boundaries of distance, space, and time. Humans, as social creatures, can communicate wherever they are through exchanging information, messages, or symbols, whether regarding knowledge, skills, expertise, or other information. Banggai Regency tourism development aims to focus on planning and re-implementing policies to encourage tourism development and provide benefits to the community. Therefore, tourism communication is important for the successful development of a tourist destination. Through communication, opportunities for the popularity of a tourist destination will open up to become more widely known by the wider community. This research aims to describe tourism communication through the mombowa tumpe ritual culture, explain community participation, and understand the tourism communication planning model in developing tourist destinations in Batui District, Banggai Regency. This study uses a qualitative method. Qualitative research produces data in the form of words or images, not numbers and statistics. The analysis and discussion in the research are based on tourism communication based on the local wisdom of Mombowa Tumpe ritual culture in developing tourist destinations as local wisdom in Banggai Regency. The research results show that tourism communication requires coordination in the decision-making process in developing Mombowa Tumpe tourism. Traditional leaders always ask for input from the surrounding community in implementing the Mombowa Tumpe ritual as an effort to develop local tourism in the Batui District area. Ritual culture can be implemented well where traditional stakeholders act as communicators in managing the Mombowa Tumpe ritual to increase tourists visiting Banggai Regency.

Ceremonial language and social cohesion: An analysis of Seumapa in Acehnese wedding traditions

The Seumapa ceremony, a rhyming exchange ritual performed by a Syekh (reciter) representing both the bride’s (darabarô) and the bridegroom’s (lintôbarô) parties during Acehnese wedding ceremonies before the groom is allowed into the house of Acehnese society in Indonesia, stands as a testament to the role of cultural rituals in capturing and spreading societal values and norms. This study attempts to analyze this ceremony to reveal the social community, practice, and symbolic language within the Acehnese wedding context. It is to further understand how they shape the social cohesion and identity of the Acehnese community. By employing observations on three wedding ceremonies, and interviews with three elders of the community, the analysis of Seumapa’s cultural values reveals the ceremony’s emphasis on etiquette, respect, social and religious identity, customary knowledge, and educational significance. Ritualistic greetings and gift exchanges portray communal harmony, while symbolic acts symbolic acts like lifting the curtain and presenting ‘hantaran’ (ceremonial gifts) from the groom to the bride and vice versa represent social identity and mutual responsibility. The integration of religious knowledge depicts the community’s prioritization of spiritual preparedness, and the use of symbolic and metaphorical language reflects societal values and aspirations, signifying the importance of wisdom, respect, and communal bonds in preserving Acehnese cultural identity.

Memory and whaling: Commemorations of whale deaths in early modern Japan

Encounters with whales in early modern (seventeenth- to nineteenth-century) Japan were often memorialized through artwork such as scrolls or woodblock prints, permanent monuments such as steles or grave sites, and even in ritual practices such as annual Buddhist memorial ceremonies. Whaling groups used the commemorations of their interactions with whales to teach hunting techniques, display their prowess to outsiders, and atone for the Buddhist sin of killing another living creature. Non-whaling communities, which usually encountered whales through limited beachings or strandings, also found those situations worthy of commemoration. Their memorials celebrated the spectacle of the whale from the observer's viewpoint, or expressed gratitude for the financial windfall the dead whale brought to the community. This article examines how a community's relationship to whaling determined how it memorialized the encounter. These early modern memorial practices inform commemorations of whales even to the present day.

Adolescents' Tsunami Exposure and Mental Health Consequences: Protective Role of Cultural Coping Strategies.

There is a knowledge gap regarding the link between disaster exposure and adolescent mental health problems in developing countries. This study examines the case of Sri Lanka to investigate (a) the immediate and long-term mental health impact of the 2004 tsunami disaster on adolescents and (b) the potential moderating effects of unique cultural and family practices that prevail in Sri Lanka. This study used a random sample of 160 adolescents (ages 12-19) and their mothers who were exposed to the tsunami disaster while living in a southern Sri Lankan village and provided prospective data immediately after the disaster (2005) and three years later (2008). A cross-culturally validated instrument assessed adolescent-mother dyads' tsunami exposure, stressful loss, family cultural rituals and familism, and adolescent mental health. Structural equation modeling analysis showed that exposure and perceptions of tsunami-induced stressful experiences were associated with early and later mental health problems in adolescents. In addition, this study found that unique cultural practices and familism moderated the link between adolescent tsunami exposure, stressful experiences, and levels of PTSD and depressive symptoms. The findings of this study could be utilized to develop prevention and intervention programs that are contextually and culturally valid and empirically supported, which would be more effective for trauma-exposed adolescents in developing countries.