Ritual Theory Ritual Practice

In recent years the notion of ritual has emerged as an important focus for new forms of cultural analysis. Arguing that the concept of ritual is overdue for critical rethinking, Bell here offers a close theoretical analysis of the recent developments in ritual studies, concentrating on anthropology, sociology, and history of religions. She begins by showing how discourse on ritual has served to generate and legitimate a limited and ultimately closed form of cultural analysis. She then proposes that so-called ritual activities be removed from their isolated position as special, paradigmatic acts and restored to the context of "social activity" in general. Using the term "ritualization" to describe ritual thus contextualized, she defines it as a culturally strategic way of acting. She goes on to show how this definition can serve to illuminate such classic issues in traditional ritual studies as belief, ideology, legitimation, and power.

"Throws down the gauntlet to cultural interpretations of ritual....Bell's erudition and command of the literature, especially in the field of anthropology, is most impressive. Her appeal for the centrality of dynamic individuals, strategies, and power relationships is powerful and will no doubt strike a chord among those similarly disaffected with prevailing trends in understanding ritual." American Journal of Sociology

"Fills a gap....Bell has supplied a thorough study of the field that brings together some valuable insights difficult to find elsewhere under one cover." Sociology

"Catherine Bell's book will surely set the standard for work in the burgeoning field of "ritual studies" for some time....excellent." The Journal of Religion

"This book would serve as a valuable resource for understanding theories and developing research ideas on ritual--especially with Bell's incisive, comprehensive treatment of previous theories....I strongly recommend this book to any social scientist who is critical and curious enough to swim against the mainstream in exploration of our complex, dynamic relationships with culture, our creation(s), and our creator(s)." The International Journal of the Psychology of Religion

"Bell provides an illuminating examination of the linkages...between the analytics of ritual and broader conceptualizations of social process....her presentation of "the framework of ritualization" strikes me as one of the most exciting and original contributions to ritual theory I have read in recent years." History of Religion

Arguing that the concept of ritual is overdue for critical rethinking, Bell here offers a close theoretical analysis of recent developments in ritual studies, concentrating on anthropology, sociology, and history of religions. She begins by showing how discourse on ritual has served to generate and legitimate a limited and ultimately closed form of cultural analysis. She then proposes that so-called ritual activities be removed from their isolated position as special, paradigmatic acts and restored to the context of social activity in general. Using the term ritualization to describe ritual thus contextualized, she defines it as a culturally strategic way of acting. She goes on to show how this definition can serve to illuminate such classic issues in traditional ritual studies as belief, ideology, legitimation, and power.

Preface

Contributor's Biographies

Introduction, Catherine Bell

Part I: Teaching the Experience through Encounter and Reflection

1. "Living a Double Consciousness", R. Schechner

2. "Still Liminal After All These Years: Teaching Ordeals and Peregrinations", A. Grodzins Gold

3. "Dancing Ritual, Ritual Dancing: Experiential Teaching", S. Gill

4. "The Fieldtrip and Its Role in Teaching Ritual", D. Pinault

5. "Experience, Purpose, Pedagogy, and Theory: Ritual Activities in the Classroom", M. Wallace

6. "Ritualizing Zen and the Art of Writing", R. Grimes

Part II: Teaching the Questions through Issues and Theories

7. "Teaching Ritual Propriety and Authority through Japanese Religions", J. Nelson

8. "The Camp-Meeting and the Paradoxes of Evangelical Protestant Ritual", A. Taves

9. "Ritual from Five Angles: A Tool for Teaching", A. Strathern and P. Stewart

10. "Teaching Rites Ritually", M. McGann

11. "Teaching the Cognitive Approach", T. Vial

12. "Religion as Ritual", C. Bell

13. "Teaching Healing Rituals/Ritual Healing, S, Sered and L. Barnes

14. "Reflections on Ritual in Noh and Kyogen", R. Gardner

15. "Ritual Performance and Ritual Practice: Teaching the Multiple Forms and Dimensions of Ritual, L. Elkstrom and R. Hecht

16. "Eventfulness of Space: Teaching about Sacred Architecture IS Teaching About Ritual", L. Jones

17. "Ritual and the Writing Class", C. Lehrich

Bibliography

Index