Myth, Symbolism & Taboo Weeks 3 & 4- Chapter 2 Lehman & Myers Leonard- The Study of Mythology Douglas- Taboo Daugherty- Serpent Handling as a Sacrament

Myth, Mythic Beliefs, Mythic Narratives & Mythology Metaphorical method of knowing & affirming reality without empirical data Mythic Beliefs Mythic Narratives Factual or non-factual accounts Significant to the cultural tradition

The Study of Mythic Narratives Myths are survivals of the irrational past Mythic narratives are allegories Mythic narratives are social charters Mythic narratives are symbolic representations of the dominant values of society Mythic narratives are rationalizations for rituals Mythic narratives are expressions of unconscious/subconscious wishes Mythic narratives are logical, mediating models Mythic narratives are epic dramas of supernatural beings.

Folklore & Myth Folklore: Tales, legends, proverbs, riddles, & myths important in the study of culture. Myth- a statement of primeval reality among institutions, justifying the existing order & gives a retrospective pattern of moral values, of sociological discrimination & burdens, & magical belief. Function: strengthen tradition. Myths development Set up oppositions Set about to resolve these oppositions Myth isn’t necessarily fiction… Joseph Campbell noted, these are the “stories” by which people live… that sustain cultures. Stories that answer important questions w/respect to origins, beliefs, values, mysteries, etc. Stories that answer important questions w/respect to origins, beliefs, values, mysteries, etc. Often, myths are sacred in nature (sacred stories) others are developed recently like the “Millennium bug” over 250 billion $ was spent worldwide to prepare for the Y2K problem. Folklore myth are part of folklore ( stories based on oral traditions originally)…”customs, beliefs, short sayings, and narration shared by people who belong to a common social group.” A body of common knowledge, performed in certain social contexts according to certain methods of performance.”… “shared identity” like jokes, riddles, etc. (how many __does it take to change a lightbulb?)

Myth Important in the analysis of comparative religion Parts of larger ideological systems Creation stories Divine/semi-divine animals and culture hero characters Performance element Example--Adam and Eve Need not be scientifically or objectively true Validity within cultural context

Approaching Myths Considered to be truthful accounts of the past orally transmitted or textual accounts Studied in the West since the Greeks Platonic confusion of myth as fallacy Anthropological emphasis on culture-specific meanings Joseph Campbell looking for universal themes in myth modern study of myth multidisciplinary

Symbolism Symbol is something that represents something else (i.e. Human language ability). C. Geertz Religious system-cluster of sacred symbols possessing a power or force (mana) emanating from the spiritual world

Study of Symbolism Important to the study of religion Symbols Durkheim less than clear definition something that represents something else enhancement of the importance of what is symbolized Symbols multivocalic nature often considered to have mana, force, or power provide people with an emotional and intellectual commitment Durkheim stand for revered values, reaffirm cultural value system

Taboos Term (Tabu & Kapu) originated in the Pacific Islands, anthropologists associated it with images of “savage” Polynesians observing mystical prohibitions. Every society has restrictions that limit behavior in one respect or another, usually associated with sex, food, rites of passage, sacred objects & people. Most taboos are reinforced by the threat of punishment by supernatural forces.

Incest Taboo Incest Taboo is the absolute forbiddance of sexual contact between certain close relatives. Variations across cultures & time Present in almost all societies

The Study of Mythology By S. Leonard & M. Mc Clure What are Myths and Why Study Them? Inquiry into meaning making Open-ended living texts Intertwined nature of the uses of myth in diverse cultures Ways that myths can be seen to embody cultural attitudes, values & behaviors. Apparent rewards of answers Modern Anthropology B. Malinowski “real” in performance The Rise of Psychology Myth and the unconscious Sigmund Freud & Carl Jung Joseph Campbell: Literary & Cultural Clinic Claude Levi-Strauss & Structuralism

Class Activity Identify a myth in your or some other culture, analyze and describe it on an short essay. Think of various taboos that exists in many societies, describe them and their functionality. Draw and describe a symbol meaningful to you.

Taboo By Mary Douglas Taboo definitions appears “irrational” to outside observer 19th century misconception of “false science” breach of conduct has repercussions theories of contagion

Taboo By Mary Douglas In the Eye of the Beholder culturally defined conceptions of reality “dirt” or “beauty” contextualizing taboos within the larger system modern approach as a problem of human learning no objective view of the world

Taboo By Mary Douglas Learning The Seat of Mana filtering, organizing, and classifying process culturally constructed universe unique worldviews of relatively isolated groups the universe is a system of rules Western differentiation and classifications The Seat of Mana taboos can express political ideas gradings of power Polynesian belief about the head

Taboo by Mary Douglas Fluidity Rules of the Game context of taboos recognition of dynamism classifying process is always active and changing Rules of the Game social life with no classifications? social life is the process of building classification systems

Taboo by Mary Douglas Injecting Order Into Life William Burrough’s “Naked Lunch” taboo injects order drawn from social categories dilemma of individual freedom

Article: Serpent Handling as Sacrament by Mary Lee Daugherty Serpent Handlers of West Virginia background small, independent Holiness-type churches “long conclusion” of the gospel Mark physical, economic, and social environment enabled by the power of the Holy Ghost Modern changes economic improvement effects on expressions of faith?

Serpent Handling as Sacrament ritual celebration of life, death, and resurrection proof of Jesus’s power to protect and heal serpent as a symbol of victory over death dangerous (yet rarely fatal) hypothesis about the future of serpent-handling legality issues Cultural Isolation limited travel, media, etc. primarily oral/Biblical traditions life centered on church gatherings

Serpent Handling as Sacrament The Approach to the Serpent not evil serpent of the Genesis story serpent as life over death sacrament respect for the snake The Faith willingness to die for beliefs coping with and confronting real fears seeking harmony with Nature centered in small communities

Serpent Handling as Sacrament Longing for Holiness Power of the Holy Ghost and the courageous individual The Person of the Holy Ghost enables serpent-handling, speaking in tongues, preaching, curing diseases, etc. lends a sense of power to lives approachable and relatable figure of Jesus Churches and Services arena of empowerment direct personal experience of God Holiness churches view of the secular world based in very small communities

Serpent Handling as Sacrament Symbolism of the Serpent suggests ambiguity and transcendence varying representations Conclusion a unique ritual in church history new economic and social environment ritual continues as a form of sacrament