African Rituals of Conflict¹

Cultural Anthropology and the many Functions of Religion

“…One favorite-i.e., for anthropologists-expression of problems and conflicts is witchcraft. Rituals of rébellion (Gluckman 1954, Norbeck 1963) are another way of expressing inherent insoluble conflicts. In both cases the reasoning closely foliows the psychological tracks indicated above: the ritual, beliefs or accusations serve as a safety valve, and perform a catharsis for the society, which by playing on inherent contradictions makes those tolerable, thus preserving the status quo of society.…”

An Alternative Approach to Reciprocity1

“…The moka transactions in Mount Hagen, New Guinea, according to Strathern, involves this sort of "alternating disequilibrium" where "each partner alternately has the upper hand in the sequence of exchanges, by virtue of the other being in debt to him" (1971:121). The periodically occasioned and ritually framed reversal in complementary roles and status, whether sexual, political, or administrative, as in nauen (Bateson 1958), the rituals of rebellion (Gluckman 1960), rituals of conflict (Norbeck 1963), the feast of love (Marriott 1966), and "role releases" in total institutions (Goffman 1961:94), is a clear reflection of institutional strain toward symmetry which must be thrust into routinized asymmetry. Bateson's two types of schismogenesis, symmetrical and complementary, do not necessarily take mutually separate courses, but at a certain climactic point one schismogenesis may link up with and trigger the other schismogenesis.…”

Some Comments on Norbeck's African Rituals or Conflict

“…1) While he reviews a considerable amount of empirical evidence, he neglects the relevant French literature on the subject (Griaule 1948: 177;PalauMarti 1960), and does not do justice to many English-speaking Africanists when he states that Max Gluckman "has provided the only substantial published writing in this subject" (Norbeck 1963(Norbeck : 1254. As early as 1929as , EvansPritchard (1929 extensively analyzed related phenomena.…”

“…Councillors, we are told, are especially entrusted with keeping order and discipline (1947:224). It is also an overstatement to say that Gluckman's "interpretation of rituals of rebellion proceeds without regard to native attitudes towards the ceremonies" (Norbeck, 1963(Norbeck, : 1271. Speaking of the Zulu and Swazi, for example, Gluckman states: "These rituals are believed to strengthen the nation and to ensure prosperity and victory" (1955 : 123).…”

“…He accepts the obvious explanation of tension-release and catharsis (1963: 1272), and the almost tautological Maussian notion that such rituals "serve a common function of making memorable and enhancing the importance of the social occasions upon which they are observed" (1963 :1269). Finally, he approvingly quotes Boulding who presents the highly dubious proposition that "the ritual enactment of conflict lends color and dramatic interest to the lives of primitive peoples, among which forms of self-expression are limited" (Norbeck 1963(Norbeck : 1274Boulding 1962:306).…”