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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Social Meaning in North Sotho Ritual Symbolism
Author:Sekhukhune, Phatudi D.
Year:1990
Periodical:South African Journal of Ethnology
Volume:13
Issue:1
Pages:30-32
Language:English
Geographic term:South Africa
Subjects:African religions
religious rituals
Sotho
rites of passage
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
Religion and Witchcraft
Abstract:The author analyses North Sotho ritual symbols as sociolinguistic phenomena, capable of communication in the same way as linguistic codes. In order for the symbols to convey the intended message they must be placed within a specific ritual context. It is the context that makes the interpretation of illocutionary force of the ritual symbols possible. The article is confined to a few situations involving rites of passage: the birth of a child, the death of a husband, the 'lepheko' ritual, which makes that people refrain from entering a hut, and the burial of a bachelor. Bibliogr., sum. also in Afrikaans.
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