Table of Contents

Part 1 Theories: The History of Interpretation
1 Myth or Ritual: Questions of Origin and Essence
Early Theories and Theorists
They Myth and Ritual Schools
The Phenomenology of Religions
Psychoanalytic Approatches to Ritual
Profile: Interpreting the Akitu Festival
Conclusion
2 Ritual and Society: Questions of Social Funciton and Structure
Early Theories of Social Solidarity
Functionalism
Neofunctional Systems Analyses
Structuralism
Magic, Religion, and Science
Profile: Interpreting the Mukanda Initiation
Conclusion
3 Ritual Symbols, Syntax, and Praxis: Questions of Cultural Meaning and Interpretation
Symbolic Systems and Symbolic Action
Linguistics
Performance
Practice
Profile: Interpreting British and Swazi Enthronement Rites
Conclusion
Part II Rites: The Spectrum of Ritual Activities
4 Basic Genres of Ritual Action
Rites of Passage
Calendrical Rites
Rites of Affliction
Feasting, Fasting, and Festivals
Political Rites
Conclusion
Part III Contexts: The Fabric of Ritual Life
6 Ritual Density
Systems
Typologies
Orthopraxy and Orthodoxy
Traditional and Secular
Oral and Literate
Church, Sect, and Cult
Conclusion
7 Ritual Change
Tradition and Transformation
Ritual Invention
Media and Message
Conclusion
8 Ritual Reification
Repudiating, Returning, Romancing
The Emergence of "Ritual"
Conclusion

About the Author

Former Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, Santa Clara University

Reviews

"A very impressive achievement....[Bell's] is one of the most interesting and important voices in the field of ritual studies today."--Worship
"A rich and detailed interdisciplinary analysis of the nature and functions of ritual. Scholars in all fields will profit from this sound and probing study."--Religious Studies Review