What is achieved through sacrifice?

Sacrifice can be conceptualised in various forms. Traditionally, the four-step-scheme (presentation, consecration, invocation, immolation) of the ritual as described by Evans-Pritchard (1956) reduces it to as Gibson (1986: 182) describes “a gift to spiritual beings in which the life of an animal is substituted for the life of a human”. Originating in Hubert’s and Mauss’ account (1964), what can be called the ‘communication theory of sacrifice’ is illustrated by Evans-Pritchard’s study of Nuer religion. Without further challenging the common perception of the ‘scheme’ of sacrifice, the Evans-Pritchard’s study will serve as an example for this first approach.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• What is achieved through sacrifice?
• Sacrifice as Ritual Communication
• Collective and Personal Sacrifices
• Turner's Contribution
• Social Function of Sacrifice
• Gibson's Perspective
• The Importance of Community
• Hubert and Mauss' Multidimensional View
• Bloch's 'Totality' and Turner's Reconcilitation
• External Observation and the Black Box of Sacrifice

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This essay investigates the multifaceted concept of sacrifice, examining various theoretical perspectives and analyzing its functions within different cultures. By examining the work of prominent anthropologists like Evans-Pritchard and Gibson, the essay explores the various aims and outcomes of sacrifice, delving into its ritual communication aspects, social implications, and the interplay between individual and collective motivations.

• Ritual Communication and the Role of God/Spirits
• Social Function of Sacrifice in Building Community
• The Multidimensionality of Sacrifice
• The Limitation of External Observation
• The Uncertainties of Sacrifice's Effectiveness

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The essay begins by examining the concept of sacrifice through Evans-Pritchard's analysis of the Nuer people. The author highlights the two main purposes of sacrifice: prevention and atonement. This section delves into the ritual communication aspect of sacrifice, arguing that it serves as a way to appease spirits and/or God. The chapter then explores the distinction between collective and personal sacrifices, demonstrating how they can reinforce social status and solidify relationships within communities. The next section introduces Gibson's perspective on sacrifice, emphasizing its social function in establishing and maintaining community. This perspective focuses on the act of sharing, demonstrating how sacrifice can promote unity and reconciliation. The chapter utilizes the Buid culture as an example, exploring their complex burial rituals and how they involve a communal act of sharing. The final section integrates the perspectives of Evans-Pritchard, Gibson, Hubert and Mauss, acknowledging the multidimensionality of sacrifice and the limitations of assigning singular functions to it. It acknowledges the difficulty of observing sacrifice from an external perspective and the uncertainty surrounding its effectiveness.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This essay delves into the diverse facets of sacrifice by analyzing the work of anthropologists like Evans-Pritchard, Gibson, Hubert, Mauss, and Turner. Key concepts explored include ritual communication, social function, community building, multidimensionality, external observation, and the uncertainty surrounding sacrifice's effectiveness. The essay draws insights from studies of various cultures including the Nuer and the Buid, highlighting the diverse expressions and aims of sacrifice within different societies.

Details

• College: University of Cambridge
• Grade: 67%
• Author: Johannes Lenhard (Author)
• Publication Year: 2013
• Pages: 5
• Catalog Number: V209433
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656374428
• ISBN (Book): 9783656375562
• Language: English
• Tags: Sacrifice ritual social anthropology communication gift