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Periodical article | Leiden University 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. |