Two rituals performed by Mongol shamans of Inner Mongolia, China, in 2003 and 2010 are described. One is an initiation ritual that formally brings a female shaman candidate into contact with her guiding spirit. The ritual makes much use... more
Two rituals performed by Mongol shamans of Inner Mongolia, China, in 2003 and 2010 are described. One is an initiation ritual that formally brings a female shaman candidate into contact with her guiding spirit. The ritual makes much use of birth symbolism. The second is a ritual in which an established shaman is promoted to a higher rank that brings increased power. In both rituals, birch trees play a vital role as links between the worlds of spirits and humans. The construction of sacred ritual space makes the interaction between spirit beings and humans visible and at the same time, productive.
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... Page 3. THE WEDDING OF THE DEAD Ritual, Poetics, and Popular Culture in Transylvania GAIL KLIGMAN Un1vers1ty of Cal1forn1a Press Berkeley Los Angeles London Page 4. ... The wedding of the dead: ritual, poetics, and popular culture in... more
... Page 3. THE WEDDING OF THE DEAD Ritual, Poetics, and Popular Culture in Transylvania GAIL KLIGMAN Un1vers1ty of Cal1forn1a Press Berkeley Los Angeles London Page 4. ... The wedding of the dead: ritual, poetics, and popular culture in Transylvania / Gail Kligman. ...
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Japanese culture is more often than not presented as being a culture primarily based on the cultivation of rice (inasaku bun a ). Although there are voices calling for a critical examination of this presentation, they are in the minority.... more
Japanese culture is more often than not presented as being a culture primarily based on the cultivation of rice (inasaku bun a ). Although there are voices calling for a critical examination of this presentation, they are in the minority. Moreover, critical voices are often ignored not only by the general population but also by scholars. Yet, there are clear signs that suggest it would be useful to reinvestigate the significance of rice in Japanese culture in a way that would give more weight to diversity in the culture. In order to do this, it is necessary to reconsider the role rice has played in Japanese society and to pay attention to what this role was, or is, in comparison with the pr od uction of other cereals. The present article is intended to stimulate such a reconsideration not so much by presenting a. new reading of historical documents concerning the use of rice (which, however, is necessary), but by paying attention to the lives and attitudes of its producers.