Anthropology of the Anthropology of the SupernaturalSupernatural

Cross-Cultural Studies of Magic Cross-Cultural Studies of Magic and Religionand Religion

Introduction to the SupernaturalIntroduction to the Supernatural

Beliefs in the unseen world are universalBeliefs in the unseen world are universal– Includes “science-based societies” Includes “science-based societies” – In U.S. fundamentalism is upIn U.S. fundamentalism is up– Is belief only human?Is belief only human?– ““Rain dance” among chimpanzeesRain dance” among chimpanzees– Demand for explanations of the unseenDemand for explanations of the unseen– Azande’s view of causation Azande’s view of causation – Shamans trickery sometimes “works”Shamans trickery sometimes “works”– Case of QuasalidCase of Quasalid

OverviewOverview

Provide a set of definitionsProvide a set of definitions Religion vs. Magic and validity of distinctionReligion vs. Magic and validity of distinction Types of supernatural beingsTypes of supernatural beings Types of practitionersTypes of practitioners Some case studiesSome case studies Some theories about supernatural beliefsSome theories about supernatural beliefs

Definitions: Religion vs. MagicDefinitions: Religion vs. Magic

Sir James Frazier’s distinctionSir James Frazier’s distinction Magic: manipulation of supernatural beings and/or Magic: manipulation of supernatural beings and/or

forcesforces Concentration: targets immediate problemsConcentration: targets immediate problems Sympathetic vs. contagious magicSympathetic vs. contagious magic Religion: Recognition of unseen worldReligion: Recognition of unseen world Focus: explanation based on mythFocus: explanation based on myth Supplication emphasizedSupplication emphasized Considerable overlap in distinctionConsiderable overlap in distinction St. Jude; faith healing.St. Jude; faith healing.

Definition: Forces Versus BeingsDefinition: Forces Versus Beings

Supernatural Forces: manaSupernatural Forces: mana No personality or other such attributesNo personality or other such attributes Forces somewhat akin to electricityForces somewhat akin to electricity Tabus: caution against touching object too Tabus: caution against touching object too

dangerous for commonersdangerous for commoners Supernatural BeingsSupernatural Beings Supernatural persons or forces with attributes of Supernatural persons or forces with attributes of

personality or personagepersonality or personage Human image of gods or spirits apply hereHuman image of gods or spirits apply here

Supernatural Beings: A TypologySupernatural Beings: A Typology

Gods:Gods: generically of nonhuman origin generically of nonhuman origin Monotheism: single, often all-powerful godMonotheism: single, often all-powerful god Polytheism: numerous, specialized godsPolytheism: numerous, specialized gods Demons: negative beingsDemons: negative beings Spirits or Ghosts: of human originSpirits or Ghosts: of human origin Ancestral spirits: departed souls of the dead to Ancestral spirits: departed souls of the dead to

whom living pay homagewhom living pay homage Ghosts: Spirits who often bring harm to living, Ghosts: Spirits who often bring harm to living,

often as revenge for some neglectoften as revenge for some neglect

Practitioners: Shamans, WitchesPractitioners: Shamans, Witches

Shamans:Shamans: persons with supernatural power persons with supernatural power acquired by individual initiativeacquired by individual initiative

Many are diagnosticians or healersMany are diagnosticians or healers Quasalid: Kwakiutl shamanQuasalid: Kwakiutl shaman DivinersDiviners: those who forecast the future: those who forecast the future Sorcerers:Sorcerers: Practitioners who bring ham Practitioners who bring ham Through supernatural power/often with ritualThrough supernatural power/often with ritual WitchcraftWitchcraft: Innate psychic power capable of harm: Innate psychic power capable of harm Case study: Azande poison oracleCase study: Azande poison oracle

Practitioners: Priests/PriestessesPractitioners: Priests/Priestesses

Functions:Functions: Explanation of myths underlying beliefExplanation of myths underlying belief Humankind’s place in the cosmosHumankind’s place in the cosmos Addressing the afterlifeAddressing the afterlife Leading ritual, prayer, or supplicationLeading ritual, prayer, or supplication A go-between for god(s) and human groupA go-between for god(s) and human group Not a function (theoretically):Not a function (theoretically): manipulation of the spiritual beings or forcesmanipulation of the spiritual beings or forces Some do manipulate: faith healersSome do manipulate: faith healers

Case Studies: Hindu BeliefsCase Studies: Hindu Beliefs

Caste systemCaste system Samsara:Samsara: Life, death, rebirth Life, death, rebirth Karma:Karma: force based on consequence of force based on consequence of

behaviorbehavior World of illusionWorld of illusion Cosmology:Cosmology: Balance of creative/destructive forcesBalance of creative/destructive forces Nirvana:Nirvana: Escape illusion of samsara Escape illusion of samsara

Case Studies: IslamCase Studies: Islam

Part of Judaic-Christian traditionPart of Judaic-Christian tradition Opposition of God and SatanOpposition of God and Satan Ultimate conquest of good over evilUltimate conquest of good over evil People of the BookPeople of the Book Tradition of IslamTradition of Islam Muhammad recited Koran from Angel Gabriel Muhammad recited Koran from Angel Gabriel Conquered Arab idolatersConquered Arab idolaters Forced to flee from Mecca to Medina: HegiraForced to flee from Mecca to Medina: Hegira

Spread and Obligations of IslamSpread and Obligations of Islam

Range: Africa to south, eastward to Indonesia, Range: Africa to south, eastward to Indonesia, fast growth in U.S.fast growth in U.S.

ObligationsObligations Daily declaration of faithDaily declaration of faith Prayer 5 times daily toward MeccaPrayer 5 times daily toward Mecca Fasting during Ramadan on rotating lunar Fasting during Ramadan on rotating lunar

calendarcalendar Alms to poorAlms to poor Hajj: pilgrimage to MeccaHajj: pilgrimage to Mecca

Explanations/Functions of Explanations/Functions of Supernatural BeliefsSupernatural Beliefs

Ethnoscientific explanations (Just So stories)Ethnoscientific explanations (Just So stories)– Explanation of soul through dreamsExplanation of soul through dreams

Animism: beings within all forms living or notAnimism: beings within all forms living or not Animatism: forces within all formsAnimatism: forces within all forms Azande: interpreting misfortunesAzande: interpreting misfortunes Psychological: Quest for securityPsychological: Quest for security Trobriand Islanders: magic on sea canoesTrobriand Islanders: magic on sea canoes Military adage: no atheists in foxholesMilitary adage: no atheists in foxholes

Explanations/Functions: SocietalExplanations/Functions: Societal

Power Relations:Power Relations: Marx: Religion as opiate of peopleMarx: Religion as opiate of people Case study: Caste system of IndiaCase study: Caste system of India Durkheim: Function of Social SolidarityDurkheim: Function of Social Solidarity Profane: Everyday objectsProfane: Everyday objects Sacred: Objects that inspire awe/reverenceSacred: Objects that inspire awe/reverence Swanson: the sovereign group as deitySwanson: the sovereign group as deity

Explanations/Functions: Explanations/Functions: RevitalizationRevitalization

Definition:Definition: Reaction by a minority to coercion or disruptionReaction by a minority to coercion or disruption Often under leadership of a messiahOften under leadership of a messiah To reclaim lost status, identity, well-beingTo reclaim lost status, identity, well-being Case studies:Case studies: Ghost dance, Lakota under WovokaGhost dance, Lakota under Wovoka Cargo cults, MelanesiaCargo cults, Melanesia Heaven’s Gate/Branch DavidiansHeaven’s Gate/Branch Davidians

A.F.C. Wallace: Revitalization A.F.C. Wallace: Revitalization MovementsMovements

Initial steady state: Initial steady state: Individual stress Individual stress Domination or Economic DepressionDomination or Economic Depression Societal disillusion and disorganizationSocietal disillusion and disorganization RevitalizationRevitalization New Steady StateNew Steady State