Power of pollution: social and ritual dimensions of conflict and protest
By: Sharma, Mahesh.
Material type:
ArticlePublisher: 2001Description: p.393-421.Subject(s): Social problems | Caste
In:
Indian Social Science ReviewSummary: The article contextualises the dissent and protest, specifically in the western Himalayan ruralscape, of the ritually low and untouchable castes in social mobility movements and the role of popular ritual experts (shamans, oracles and exorcists in particular) in empowering the members of the low castes. Even though the concept of power is located in pollution and purity, it is argued that the top rung of the hierarchy is fragile as it is constantly threatened by polluting agents, and if the low castes become conscious of this power of pollution they can render the hierarchy systematically meaningless. While the ritually low castes and untouchables as a community, were engaged in economic conflict at various levels with the ritually high caste landowners, which resulted in occasional uprisings, the popular belief system was used as a catbarsis as well as an assertion of their power against social coercion. The article argues that the social and ritual protest aimed at diluting, or subverting, the caste hierarchy in a stratified society is a more effective threat to the power of the high castes, and that the hope of social revision becomes an alternative to economic subordination. - Reproduced.
| Item type | Current location | Call number | Vol info | Status | Date due | Barcode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Articles
|
Indian Institute of Public Administration | Volume no: 3, Issue no: 2 | Available | AR52663 |
The article contextualises the dissent and protest, specifically in the western Himalayan ruralscape, of the ritually low and untouchable castes in social mobility movements and the role of popular ritual experts (shamans, oracles and exorcists in particular) in empowering the members of the low castes. Even though the concept of power is located in pollution and purity, it is argued that the top rung of the hierarchy is fragile as it is constantly threatened by polluting agents, and if the low castes become conscious of this power of pollution they can render the hierarchy systematically meaningless. While the ritually low castes and untouchables as a community, were engaged in economic conflict at various levels with the ritually high caste landowners, which resulted in occasional uprisings, the popular belief system was used as a catbarsis as well as an assertion of their power against social coercion. The article argues that the social and ritual protest aimed at diluting, or subverting, the caste hierarchy in a stratified society is a more effective threat to the power of the high castes, and that the hope of social revision becomes an alternative to economic subordination. - Reproduced.
There are no comments for this item.