Week 8: VICTOR TURNER: LIMINALITY, COMMUNITAS, ANTI-

STRUCTURE
Introduction.
1a: Today we are going o !ook a "e #on#e$% o& Communitas, Anti-
structure and Liminal/Liminoid a% #on%r'#ed in "e "eorei#a! (ode! o&
an"ro$o!ogi% Vi#or T'rner and "ow "i% (ode! a$$!ie% o "e %'dy o&
&e%i)a!% or, (ore %$e#i&i#a!!y, #o'ner #'!'ra! &e%i)a!%*
1b: To a !arge e+en T'rner,% idea% -'i! '$on a!ready e%a-!i%"ed
(ode!% "a we "a)e e+a(ined in "i% 'ni* So &ar yo' "a)e, "o$e&'!!y
de)e!o$ed a good genera! 'nder%anding o& "e ro!e $!ayed -y structural
functionalism, symbolic anthropology, kinship and gender in #reaing an
an"ro$o!ogi#a! ana!y%i%* Si(i!ar!y, yo' %"o'!d "a)e a good
'nder%anding o& Van .enne$,% "eorei#a! (ode! o& Rites of Passage in
wi" regard% o "i% de&iniion o& cyclical rites, life crisis rituals and "e
er(% preliminal, liminal and postliminal*
1c: Yo' %"o'!d a!%o "a)e an 'nder%anding o& C!i&&ord .eer/,%
"er(ene'i# 0iner$rei)e1 a$$roa#" or Thick Description* .eer/,%
(e"od o& %y(-o!i#a!!y iner$reing a ritual a% an e)en #onaining
('!i$!e !ayer% o& (eaning and %y(-o!i%( "a #o'!d -e read a% a tet
re$re%ened a %igni&i#an -reak wi" "e %r'#'ra! &'n#iona!i% a$$roa#"
do(inan in "e $re-%i+ie% era*
1d: Vi#or T'rner, 'i!i/ed "e (ode! o& thick description, a% de)e!o$ed
-y .eer/, -' inegraed i wi" Van .enne$,% (ode! o& rites of passage
and '%ed "i% new "eory a% a (ean% o 'nder%and "e de)e!o$(en o& "e
23,% #o'ner #'!'re and "e e+$erien#e o& indi)id'a!% a #o'ner #'!'ra!
$roe%% and &e%i)a!%, %'#" a% Wood%o#k or "e Sonewa!! rio% o& "e
New York gay #o(('niy* 4e a!%o re#on%r'#ed %r'#'ra! &'n#iona!i%
(ode!% o& %o#ia! #o"e%ion o in#or$orae "e ro!e o& %o#ia! (o)e(en%,
e"ni# gro'$% and di%en&ran#"i%ed (inoriie% wi"in "e #one+ o&
-roader %o#iey* To a !arge e+en T'rner -ro'g" "e $ra#i#e o&
an"ro$o!ogy ino #one($orary ind'%ria!i/ed %o#iey and o' o& "e
rea!( o& re(oe $re-ind'%ria! #o(('niie% a-road* In doing %o "e
-ro'g" a-o' a (a5or re)a!'aion o& "e radiiona! "eorei#a! (ode!%
'$on w"i#" an"ro$o!ogy "ad -een -a%ed*
Background.
2a: To -egin wi" I wi!! e+a(ine a !i!e o& T'rner,% -a#kgro'nd and
$er%ona! "i%ory* T'rner, !ike .eer/ #oin#iden!y, wa% a-andoned w"en
"i% $aren% were di)or#ed and wa% %en o "e %o'" o& Eng!and o -e
rai%ed -y "i% .rand(o"er* In "i% -iogra$"y "e re$re%en% "i(%e!& a%
-eing di)ided -eween wo a$$roa#"e% o !i&e and (eaning* 6ro( "i%
&a"er, an e!e#ri#a! engineer and $ar i(e in)enor7re%ear#"er, "e #!ai(%
"e in"eried a dee$ re%$e# &or "e %#ien#e% and &ro( "i% (o"er, w"o
inrod'#ed "i( o a !o)e o& ar, !iera're and "eare, "e de)e!o$ed a dee$
a$$re#iaion o& "e "'(aniie%* A##ording o "i% -iogra$"y, "e dri&ed
-eween "e ar%, %#ien#e%, %$or and #!a%%i#a! !iera're* A %$or "e
#o($en%aed "e deri%ion "e re#ei)ed &or "i% %(a!! -'i!d and !o)e o&
$oery, winning "e %#"oo!,% $ri/e &or $oery, -y -eing e+re(e!y
aggre%%i)e on "e r'g-y &ie!d* A enden#y "a on %e)era! o##a%ion%
earned "i( "e ni#kna(e 8Tank9 in "i% year-ook*
2b: To re%o!)e "e%e en%ion% -eween "i% !o)e o& %#ien#e and "e
"'(aniie% "e %'died an"ro$o!ogy a 'ni)er%iy: a di%#i$!ine "a #o'!d
ena-!e "i( o e+$!ore -o" a %#ien#e o& #'!'re and "'(an -e"a)io'r and
"e ro!e o& ae%"ei#%, %y(-o!i%( and (eaning in %o#iey* 4e a!%o &e!
"a an"ro$o!ogy #o'!d $er(i "i( o e+$!ore "e ro!e o& %o#ia! dra(a%
and "'(an inera#ion, an area "e !o)ed in !iera're and "eare, in a
$ra#i#a! #one+*
2c: To "i% end "e #rii#i/ed arg'(en% "a "e $ra#i#e o& an"ro$o!ogy
ne#e%%ari!y i($!ied "e o-5e#i&i#aion and "'% o$$re%%ion o& "eir
%'-5e#% o& re%ear#"* T"o'g" "e a#know!edge "a i did %o(ei(e% o##'r
"e &e! "a "e $o%-#o!onia! #rii;'e o& an"ro$o!ogi%% (i%'nder%ood "e
na're o& an an"ro$o!ogi%% engage(en wi" a #o(('niy*
2d: 4e arg'ed "a w"en an an"ro$o!ogi%, and o&en "i% or "er &a(i!y,
!i)e% in "e &ie!d wi" a #o(('niy &or <-= year% "ey -e#o(e in)o!)ed in
#o($!e+ inera#ion% wi" "e #o(('niy "a "e de&ined a% social
dramas* In $ari#'!ar, an an"ro$o!ogi% -e#o(e% $ar o& "e %o#ia! and
#'!'ra! !i&e o& "e #o(('niy ra"er "an an o-5e#i)e di%inere%ed &ig're
"a #an -e ke$ di%in# &ro( "e #o($!e+ %o#ia! and #'!'ra! inera#ion%
"a "a$$en aro'nd "i( or "er* Con%e;'en!y, 'nder%anding "e ro!e o&
social dramas $er%ona! #"ara#eri%i#% and "e !e)e!% o& (eaning i($!i#i
in a #on)er%aion, a% e+$erien#ed -y "e an"ro$o!ogi% a% a $ari#i$an in
"a %o#iey, are e+re(e!y i($oran area% o& re%ear#"*
Ea#" #'!'re, ea#" $er%on wi"in i, '%e% "e enire %en%ory
re$eroire o #on)ey (e%%age%: (an'a! ge%i#'!aion, &a#ia!
e+$re%%ion%, -odi!y $o%'re%, ra$id, "ea)y or !ig" -rea"ing,
ear%, a "e indi)id'a! !e)e!: %y!i%ed ge%'re%, dan#e
$aern%, $re%#ri-ed %i!en#e%, %yn#"roni/ed (o)e(en %'#"
a% (ar#"ing, "e (o)e% and 8$!ay%9 o& ga(e%, %$or and
ritual%, a "e #'!'ra! !e)e!*
2e: 4owe)er, "e did no wan o a-andon "e $rin#i$!e% o& %#ien#e -' "e
waned o a$$!y %#ieni&i# (e"od o new area% o& re%ear#" ino "e
"'(an #ondiion* 4e '%ed "e $rin#i$!e% o& %r'#'ra! &'n#iona!i%(,
kin%"i$, #!a%% and $ower re!aion% -' "e waned o -ring indi)id'a!
#"ara#er, $er%ona! %y!e, %ki!! a %$ee#" (aking, $er%ona! #"oi#e, "e
$ower o& %y(-o!% in #o(('ni#aion and "e e(oi)e or &ee!ing #onen
o& "'(an inera#ion* In %"or "e waned o gro'nd an"ro$o!ogy a% a
%o#ia! %#ien#e in "e #one+ o& $er%ona! !i)ed e+$erien#e and
e(oiona!7%$iri'a! %igni&i#an#e* In #onra% o .eer/ w"o arg'ed "a
%o#ia! (eaning #o'!d -e iner$reed a% a e+ T'rner arg'ed "a a -eer
ana!ogy &or (aking %en%e o& #'!'re i% $er#ei)ing %o#ia! inera#ion% a% a
kind o& "eare*
Rejection of Structural Functionalism.
3a: To ana!y%e "e ro!e o& social dramas and e(oion in "'(an
e+$erien#e wi"in a #o(('niy T'rner &e! "a "e #aegorie% o&
%r'#'ra! &'n#iona!i%( "ad !i!e o o&&er* 4e #o'!d #o'n "e $eo$!e
in)o!)ed, de%#ri-e "eir -e"a)io'r, $!a#e $eo$!e in "e %r'#'ra! %y%e(
o& #!a%% and kin%"i$ -' "e #o'!d no 8'nder%and "e (oi)e% and
#"ara#er% &or "e a#or% in "e%e $'r$o%e-%a'raed, e(oiona!, %$iritual
and (eaning&'! e)en%*9 T"'% T'rner &e! "a "e $re)io'% (ode!% o&
an"ro$o!ogi#a! in)e%igaion were inade;'ae &or an an"ro$o!ogy -a%ed
in "e !i)ed e+$erien#e o& "e e)en* To ge aro'nd "e inade;'a#ie% o&
%r'#'ra! &'n#iona!i%( and no -eing enire!y #on)in#ed o& .eer/,%
(e"od o& thick description T'rner gra)iaed oward% "e "eorie% o& "e
<>
"
#en'ry .er(an $"i!o%o$"er Wi!"e!( ?i!"ey*
3b: ?i!"ey arg'ed "a "e &'nda(ena! -a%i% &or "'(an know!edge wa%
"e !i)ed e+$erien#e o& "'(an -eing%* A% "e wrie%,
Li&e i%e!&, "e !i)ing e+$erien#e -eyond w"i#" I #anno go,
#onain% #onne#ion% w"i#" "o!d "e key o e+$!aining a!!
e+$erien#e and "o'g"* And i i% "ere "a "e de#i%i)e
$oin !ie% &or "e enire $o%%i-i!iy o& know!edge* We "a)e a
know!edge o& rea!iy on!y -e#a'%e !i&e and e+$erien#e
#onain a &ra(ework w"i#" we &ind in "e &or(%, $rin#i$!e%
and #aegorie% o& "o'g", on!y -e#a'%e we #an %"ow "a
&ra(ework in !i&e and e+$erien#e*
3c: T'rner de)e!o$ed ?i!"ey,% #on#e$ o& e+$erien#e o arg'e "a
#'!'ra! $er&or(an#e% and "e $er#e$ion o& cultural artefacts are 'ni% o&
e+$erien#e "a -ring o' w"a i% nor(a!!y %ea!ed '$ or ina##e%%i-!e* 6or
e+a($!e, a "eare, arwork and ('%i# #an o&en -e a &ar (ore a$$!i#a-!e
oo! &or (aking %en%e and #o(ing o er(% wi" a %igni&i#an e)en or
e(oion "an a !iera! e+$!anaion* A##ording o "i% (ode! %y(-o!i#
re$re%enaion, e(oion and &ee!ing -e#o(e a #rii#a! #o($onen in
(aking %en%e o& %o#ia! inera#ion and (eaning* In #on%r'#ing "i%
"eorei#a! (ode! &or an an"ro$o!ogy -a%ed in indi)id'a! e+$erien#e
T'rner 'i!i/ed ?i!"ey,% arg'(en o $o%'!ae "a in are @ (o(en% o&
e+$erien#e "a #o'!d -e a$$!ied in 'nder%anding an e)en, #'!'ra!
$er&or(an#e, $er#e$ion o& a #'!'ra! are&a# or &e%i)a!*
<: A $er#e$'a! #ore, (ore inen%e e(oion%, $!ea%'re or $ain "an in
nor(a! a#i)iy*
A: T"e #!ear e)o#aion or -ringing '$ o& $a% e+$erien#e%*
=: T"e re)i)a! o& &ee!ing% a%%o#iaed wi" $a% e)en% o& %y(-o!i# or
e(oiona! i($oran#e*
B: T"e generaion o& (eaning -y !inking "o'g"% a-o' "e $a% and
$re%en e)en%*
@: T"e e+$erien#e i% #o($!eed w"en e+$re%%ed and #o(('ni#aed in
%'#" a way "e a'dien#e #an de)e!o$ an 'nder%anding o& "e
$er&or(an#e*
3d: T'rner a!%o '%ed ?i!"ey,% de!ineaion -eween e+$erien#e a%
!rfahrung 0"e $a%%i)e and !iera! o-%er)aion o& &a#% and e)en% a% a
%o'r#e o& know!edge1 and !rlebnis 0"e &a# o& -eing #on%#io'%!y "e
%'-5e# o& a %ae or #ondiion or o& -eing "e #on%#io'%!y and e(oi)e!y
a&&e#ed -y an e)en1* 6or e+a($!e erfahrung wo'!d de%#ri-e "e %en%e
$er#e$ion o& wa#"ing &i!( &ooage o& "e "o!o#a'% w"erea% erlebnis
wo'!d de%#ri-e yo'r $er#e$ion o& "e e(oion% "a "e i(age% e)oked
wi"in yo' and "e %igni&i#an#e o& "e e)en wi"in yo'r wor!d )iew* In
Eng!i%" "e%e wo de&iniion% are #o!!e#i)e!y a%%o#iaed 'nder "e
#on#e$ o& e+$erien#e -' &or T'rner ?i!"ey,% e+en%i)e '%e o& "e%e wo
de!ineaed er(% re$re%ening e+$erien#e are e+re(e!y i($oran in
(aking %en%e o& "e (eaning $eo$!e ari-'e o social dramas, &e%i)a!%,
ritual% and "e (eaning a%#ri-ed o cultural artefacts* 4e %'died "e
etymological 0"e %'dy o& "e "i%ori#a! #on%r'#ion o& word%1 origin% o&
"e Eng!i%" word 8e+$erien#e9 and de)e!o$ed &or( "i% ('!i$!e
di&&eren#e !ayer% o& (eaning #onained wi"in "e one er(* T'rner #a(e
o de&ine e+$erien#e a% -eing #aegori/ed -y "e 8%en%e o& !i)ing "ro'g"
and "inking -a#k and wi!!ing or wi%"ing &orward*9 In o"er word% "e
!i)ed e+$erien#e o& an e)en in)o!)e% "e #one+ o& "e e)en wi" $a%
e+$erien#e% and #aegorie% o& iner$reaion, "e i($a# o& "e e)en i%e!&
a% yo' !i)e "ro'g" i and i% e&&e# on "e &''re $o%%i-i!iie% o&
e+$erien#e and iner$reaion*
3e: T'rner "'% #a(e o "e #on#!'%ion "a ritual, social dramas and
cultural artefacts #o'!d -e -e% 'nder%ood -y w"a "e de&ined a% an
anthropology of eperience* In $ari#'!ar, ra"er "an !ooking a "e
%r'#'re% o& %o#iey one %"o'!d !ook a "e %y(-o!i# and e(oi)e i($a#
o& "e%e %r'#'re% and, (ore i($oran!y, w"a "a$$ened -eween "e
%r'#'re%: "e liminal and interstitial $!a#e%* In "e area% o'%ide o&
%o#ia! %r'#'re% and nor(% -e"a)io'r, in T'rner,% ana!y%i%, -e#o(e%
ergotropic, e+"i-iing aro'%a!, "eig"ened a#i)iy and %rong e(oiona!
re%$on%e%* So#ia! !i&e i% &'!! o& social dramas in ran%iiona! $!a#e%*
T"ere i% a %or o& -reak in "e r'!e% and %r'#'re% and nor(ai)e $aern%
o& -e"a)io'r in "e%e $!a#e% w"i#" #orre%$ond% o $eriod% o& "eig"ened
e(oion and e+$erien#e* Under!ying %r'#'ra! #aegorie% and di)i%ion%
(ay -e re)ea!ed in $oignan, %y(-o!i# and "eari#a! $aern%, o&en "i%
#an in)o!)e a#ing o' "e o$$o%ie or e+aggeraed re$re%enaion% o&
e+$e#ed nor(%* In "i% &o#'% on interstitial $!a#e% T'rner -reak%
%igni&i#an!y &ro( radiiona! an"ro$o!ogy in "a in "i% ana!y%i% i i% no
%o ('#" w"a "a$$en% wi"in "e #on&ine% o& %o#ia! %r'#'re% -' w"a
"a$$en% -eween and o'%ide o& "e( "a i% i($oran*
Liminality.
a: W"en Van .enne$ #on%r'#ed "i% "eory o& rites of passage, "i%
ran%iiona! or liminal $"a%e wa% a $!a#e in w"i#" "ere #o'!d -e %o(e
!i-eraion &ro( %o#ia! nor(%* 4e de&ined "e liminal $!a#e a% 8a ga$
-eween "e ordered wor!d% w"ere a!(o% any"ing #o'!d "a$$en* Van
.enne$ 'i!i/e% "e word !i(ina!, deri)ed &ro( "e !ain er( &or
"re%"o!d, and T'rner de)e!o$% i a% a #r'#ia! #o($onen o& "i% #on#e$ o&
liminality* T"e rea! or %y(-o!i# "re%"o!d% are )ery i($oran
#o($onen% o& ri'a! and %y(-o!i# e+$erien#e* A "e%e $oin% "e ri'a!
%'-5e# i% -eween &i+ed $oin% o& #!a%%i&i#aion, in an a(-ig'o'%
%i'aion, %r'#'ra!!y in)i%i-!e in er(% o& %o#iey,% #!a%%i&i#aion
%y%e(%* Liminality i% "e #ondiion o& -eing (id$oin -eween a %a'%
%e;'en#e*
b: A##ording o T'rner, (a5or liminal o##a%ion% are w"en a %o#iey
ake% #ogni%an#e o& i%e!&, ake% %o#k o& $eo$!e,% $!a#e in "e e(oiona!,
%$iri'a! and %o#ia! wor!d and reiner$re% "e o)erar#"ing $aern o&
%o#ia! re!aion% "a de&ine %o#ia! %r'#'re* In liminal %$a#e% a $er%on #an
%and o'%ide o& "eir nor(a! %o#ia! ro!e% and e(-ra#e a!ernai)e %o#ia!
arrange(en% and )a!'e%* I i% a dangero'% $!a#e w"ere %r'#'re !oo%e%
i% gri$ a% i% i!!'%raed -y "e (any a-oo% %'rro'nding "e%e $eriod%*
Li(ina!iy re$re%en% a %ri$$ing down o& %r'#'ra! %a'% and %o o'r
#on#e$'a!i%ing o& i i% '%'a!!y &o#'%ed (ore on o'r iner$reaion o&
na're ra"er "an #'!'re a% "e do(inaing &ea're o& liminal e+$erien#e*
In T'rner,% (ode!, %r'#'ra! #'%o(%, on#e -roken down re)ea! wo
"'(an rai%, "e !i-eraed ine!!e# and "e na'ra!: -ody7%$iri*
Social Fields and !renas
"a: T'rner de%#ri-e% "e %$a#e% w"ere %'-)er%i)e a!ernai)e% o "e
do(inan %o#ia! %r'#'re #an -e $o%ed a% social fields* In "e%e liminal
(ena! and %o#ia! %$a#e%, a!ernai)e% o $aradig(% or (ode!% &or "ow
%o#iey #o'!d -e are $re%ened in social dramas or cathartic eperiences*
"b: T"'% "e de&ine% fields a% a-%ra# #'!'ra! do(ain% w"ere $aradig(%
&or %o#ia! inera#ion, )a!'e% and %y(-o!i# re$re%enaion% are &or('!aed,
e%a-!i%"ed and #o(e ino #on&!i# wi" e+i%ing %o#ia! and %y(-o!i#
%r'#'re%*
"c: T'rner '%e% "e er( arena o de%#ri-e "e %eing in w"i#" new
$aradig(% o& %o#ia! and %y(-o!i# %r'#'re are $' ino $!a#e and
e%a-!i%"ed a% "e new or"odo+y* T"ere i% a %'-%e;'en $ower -a!e
-eween "e )ario'% %$on%or% o& a!ernai)e (ode!% o& %o#io-#'!'ra!
%r'#'re and i i% "i% #on&!i# "a gi)e% "e 'nder!ying (eaning o "e
ro!e $!ayed -y social dramas in %o#iey*
#ommunitas.
$a: To (ake %en%e o& "i% T'rner de)e!o$ed "e #on#e$ o& communitas*
I i% a &a# o& e+$erien#e #enra! o re!igion, dra(a and !iera're -' i i%
no genera!!y e+a(ined &ro( an e($iri#i% or %#ieni&i# $er%$e#i)e* I i%
)i%i-!e in rites of passage, counter cultures and religious (o)e(en%* I
-ring% "e ro!e o& ran%&or(ai)e, #a"ari# and re!igio'% e+$erien#e a% a
#enra! #o($onen o& 'nder%anding %o#ia! %r'#'re a% o$$o%ed o "e
&'n#iona!i% (ode! o& re!igion e+i%ing a% a %'$er%iio'% (e"od o&
(ainaining "e #o"e%ion and $o!ii#o-e#ono(i# %r'#'re o& %o#iey*
$b: T'rner arg'e% "a in liminal %i'aion% communitas e(erge% in "e
&or( o& %$onaneo'% %o#ia-i!iy, !o)e &or ea#" o"er, a %en%e o& %o!idariy
and e;'a!iy and "eig"ened e(oiona! or %$iri'a! e+$erien#e* A
"eig"ened %en%e o& 5oy, we!!-eing and -e!onging "a #"a!!enge% "e
or"odo+ %o#ia! and #'!'ra! order* I i% a %$a#e w"ere 'o$ian idea!% and
"o$e% &or a -eer &''re #an -e )oi#ed and a!ernai)e $aradig(% o&
%o#io-#'!'ra! %r'#'re de)i%ed* I i% '%'a!!y a%%o#iaed wi" a %en%e "a
$eo$!e "a)e re(o)ed "e (a%k% o& "e ordinary %o#ia! wor!d: "a "e
$eo$!e in)o!)ed "a)e -e#o(e gen'ine a'"eni# indi)id'a!% &ree o& "e
re%rain% o& %o#ia! o-!igaion%* A##ording o T'rner, "e "eig"ened
%en%e o& 5oy and a'"eni#iy in re!aion%"i$% e+$erien#ed -y $eo$!e in
"i% %ae i% one o& "e (a5or %o'r#e% &or 'o$ian idea!% e+$re%%ed -y
#o'ner #'!'ra! (o)e(en% %'#" a% "e 4i$$y (o)e(en o& "e 23,%* 4e
arg'e% "a "e enden#y o dro$ o' and &or( a!ernai)e #o(('niie%
wa%, a !ea% in $ar, an e+$re%%ion "e $ari#i$an% de%ire o !i)e in a
$er(anen %ae o& #o(('nia%*
$c: A##ording o T'rner a!! %o#ieie% "a)e an idea o& %o#iey a% a %o#ia!
%r'#'re 0%eg(ened #aegorie% o& 'ne;'a! $eo$!e1, w"i#" i% #onra%ed
wi" a de%ire &or %o#iey o -e a "o(ogeno'%, 'ndi&&ereniaed a'"eni#
w"o!e, e(-ra#ing "e idea o& communitas* T"e !aer (ode! i% (ore
a$$aren w"en "ere i% a #o!!e#i)e re!igio'% or $o!ii#a! 'o$ian
(o)e(en -' i #an a!%o -e %een in ri-a! ri'a!%* So#iey i% $i#'red a% a
communitas o& &ree and e;'a! #o(rade% C a %o#iey o& oa! $er%on% wi"
%"ared )a!'e% and idea!% and a %en%e o& -e!onging* Ri'a!% #an -e
$er&or(ed w"ere #oo$erai)e and ega!iarian -e"a)io'r i% #"ara#eri%i#
and e)eryday de&iniion% o& %a'% and di)i%ion are ignored* Deo$!e w"o
are nor(a!!y di)ided and anagoni%i# #an #o(e oge"er and ran%#end
"eir di&&eren#e% in "eir #o((on e+$erien#e or "'(aniy* A% Turner
#o((en%,
In $a%%ing &ro( %r'#'re o %r'#'re (any ri'a!% $a%%
"ro'g" #o(('nia%* Co(('nia% i% a!(o% a!way% "o'g"
o& or $orrayed -y a#or% a% a i(e!e%% #ondiion, an eerna!
now, a% a (o(en in an o' o& i(e or a% a %ae o w"i#" "e
nor(a! %r'#'ra! )iew o& i(e i% no !onger a$$!i#a-!e*
$d: Communitas ari%e% %$onaneo'%!y and i% %e!&-generaed and, in
T'rner,% )iew, i% an indi%$en%a-!e need in %o#iey* To (ainain a %en%e
o& #o(('nia% yo' ry o e!i(inae o'ward %ign% o& rank and di)i%ion, o
&o#'% on "e #o((on e+$erien#e o& -eing "'(an ra"er "an a $er%on,%
%a'% and %o#ia!!y a%#ri-ed ro!e* A% T'rner wrie%,
Deo$!e "a)e a rea! need o do&& "e (a%k%, #!oak% and
a$$are! and in%ignia o& %a'% &ro( i(e o i(e e)en i& on!y
o don "e !i-eraing (a%k% o& a !i(ina! (a%;'erade*
!nti%Structure.
&a: Now w"i!e T'rner %ee% communitas a% e+i%ing o'%ide %r'#'re,
!i(ina! %i'aion% do "a)e "eir own a!ernai)e &or(% o& %r'#'re and
%y(-o!i%( "a i% !arge!y deri)ed and re#on%r'#ed &ro( "e #'!'ra!
(ain%rea( o& "eir %o#iey* 6or e+a($!e, %r'#'re (ay e+a#er-ae
di&&eren#e -eween "e %e+e% in dre%%, de#oraion and a##e$a-!e
-e"a)io'r $eo$!e in a %ae o& communitas (ay #"oo%e o de!i-erae!y
di(ini%" "e( or e)en re)er%e "e ro!e%* 6ro( a &'n#iona!i% $er%$e#i)e
"i% re$re%en% a dangero'% and de-i!iaing -reak down o& %o#ia!
#o"e%ion -' &or T'rner "e%e %$a#e% re$re%en "e $o%ii)e $oenia! &or
communitas "a rea&&ir(% %o!idariy, )a!'e% and %o#ia! -ond% -eween
$eo$!e a% indi)id'a!% %"aring a #o((on e+$erien#e*
&b: T"e a%%o#iaion o& %y(-o!% '%ed in "e #on%r'#ion o& liminal %$a#e%
and communitas i% '%'a!!y a$$ro$riaed &ro( i(age% o& $eo$!e a%%o#iaed
wi" "e (argin% o& (ain%rea( %o#iey* 6or e+a($!e gy$%ie%,
indigeno'% $eo$!e%, wi#"e% and o"er gro'$% $er#ei)ed o -e on "e
(argin% or o$$o%iiona! o (ain%rea( #'!'re are o&en a$$ro$riaed a% a
%y(-o! o& #o(('nia%* T"e key i%%'e i% "a "e%e %y(-o!% are i(age% o&
o"erne%% or o%ra#i/aion &ro( (ain%rea( %o#iey w"i#" are
re#on%r'#ed and re#a% a% %y(-o!% o& indi)id'a!i%(, a!ernae
#o(('niy and a!ienaion &ro( "e #'!'ra! (ain%rea(* T"i% o&en !ead%
o a %i'aion o& #on&!i# w"en indigeno'% $eo$!e%, ae($ing o a%%er
"eir own %o#io-$o!ii#a! and #'!'ra! ideniy are &or#ed o #o($ee wi"
#on%r'#ed ideniie% o& $eo$!e w"o wi%" o a$$ro$riae "e%e i(age% &or
"e $'r$o%e o& communitas and di&&ereniaion &ro( "e #'!'ra!
(ain%rea(*
&c: T"e &a# "a "e%e %o#ia! gro'$ing% and i(age% "a)e "eir own
a!ernai)e %r'#'re% o& %o#ia! re!aion%"i$%, %y(-o!% and #'!'ra!
(ari+e% w"i#" are deri)ed &ro( and, o %o(e e+en, de$endan on "e
#'!'ra! (ain%rea( &or !egii(a#y and i($a# !ed T'rner o de%#ri-e
"e( a% anti-structure* T"a i% o %ay "e %y(-o!i# re$re%enaion% and
a%%o#iaion o& i(age%, o&en #"o%en &or %"o#k )a!'e, are deri)ed &ro(
"eir $o%iion in re!aion o "e #'!'ra! (ain%rea( and are de$endan on
"eir $er#e$ion wi"in "e #'!'ra! (ain%rea( in order o &'n#ion* A%
T'rner #o((en%,
I& we 'nder%and anti-structure and communitas o -e
$"eno(enon "a o##'r% on "e (argin% o& %o#iey "en, in
order o 'nder%and "eir ro!e on "e (argin%, we ('% "a)e
an 'nder%anding o& "ow "o%e (argin% are de&ined*
Limoid 's. liminal situations.
(a: T'rner #a(e o di&&ereniae -eween "e (ani&e%aion% o&
communitas in ri-a! %o#ieie% and "a e+$erien#ed -y ind'%ria! %o#ieie%,
$ari#'!ar!y wi" regard% o "e $"eno(enon o& "e 23% #o'ner #'!'re*
Liminal %$a#e% were de&ined a% #o!!e#i)e e+$erien#e% #on#erned wi"
#ri%i% or #y#!i#a! rie% and o##'r in na'ra! -reak% in "e #'!'ra! &!ow*
Liminoid $"eno(ena are a!%o #o!!e#i)e e+$erien#e% -' are %ing'!ar and
o##'r in !arge %#a!e e)en% w"ere nor(% #an -e re!a+ed, %'#" a% #arni)a!%,
%$or% e)en%, "eare, ('%i# &e%i)a!% e# and are #on%'(ed -y
indi)id'a!% a% a (aer o& indi)id'a! #"oi#e* T"ey are generaed -y "e
(e#"ani%(% o& $rod'#ion and #o((odiy e+#"ange and are #!o%e!y
!inked o $o$'!ar #'!'re* Liminal $"eno(ena are inegraed ino "e
do(inan %o#ia! order and dai!y #'!'ra! !i&e w"erea% liminoid e+$erien#e%
o##'r on "e (argin% and #an #"a!!enge "e %o#ia! order*
(b: T"e re!ian#e o& liminoid e+$re%%ion% o& communitas '$on $o$'!ar
#'!'re and "e #on%'($ion o& $'r#"a%ed %y(-o!% o& anti-structure i% a
&'nda(ena! !i(iaion in "e %'%aina-i!iy o& #o'ner #'!'ra!
(o)e(en% and "eir i($a# on "e do(inan %o#ia! order* W"i!%
#o'ner #'!'ra! (o)e(en%, -y )ir'e o& "eir r'$'ring o& "e %y(-o!i#
and %o#ia! order o& (ain%rea( #'!'re, #an iniia!!y $o%e a #"a!!enge o
%o#ia! %r'#'re% a% "ey -e#o(e (ore #o((on$!a#e and (arkea-!e in
#on%'(er $rod'#% and $o$'!ar #'!'re "eir i($a# di(ini%"e%
a##ording!y a% "a$$ened in "e 4i$$y (o)e(en, "e D'nk%, "e Ro#ker%
and i% #'rren!y "reaening "e %'r)i)a! o& "e gay (o)e(en and neo-
Dagani%(* A% an"ro$o!ogi% ?i#k 4e-didge wrie%,
A% "e %'-#'!'re -egin% o %rike i% own e(inen!y
(arkea-!e $o%e, a% i% )o#a-'!ary 0-o" )i%'a! and )er-a!1
-e#o(e% (ore and (ore &a(i!iar, %o "e re&erenia! #one+
o w"i#" i #an -e #on)enien!y a%%igned i% (ade
in#rea%ing!y a$$aren* E)en'a!!y "e (od%, "e $'nk%, "e
g!ier ro#ker% #an -e in#or$oraed, -ro'g" -a#k ino !ine,
!o#aed on "e $re&erred (a$ o& $ro-!e(ai# %o#ia! rea!iy*
T"e 6ra#'red order i% re$aired and "e %'--#'!'re
in#or$oraed a% a di)ering %$e#a#!e wi"in "e do(inan
(y"o!ogy &ro( w"i#" i e(anaed in "e &ir% $!a#e*
T"e $ro-!e( o& #o((odi&i#aion &or a %'--#'!'re i% we!! i!!'%raed -y
"i% $oe( wrien -y Eerry R'-in o #o((e(orae w"a "e %aw a% "e
dea" o& "e 23%*
Re)o!'ion i% $ro&ia-!e*
So "e #a$ia!i%% ry o %e!! i*
T"e (oney $i($% ake "e $e% "ing% o'r "ear% and (ind% $rod'#e, 'rn
"e( ino #on%'(er $rod'#% wi" a $ri#e ag and %e!! i -a#k o '% a%
(er#"andi%e*
T"ey ake o'r %y(-o!% dren#"ed wi" -!ood &ro( "e %ree% and (ake
"e( #"i#*
T"ey own o'r ('%i# C "e ('%i# $rod'#ed &ro( o'r %'&&ering, o'r $ain,
"e #o!!e#i)e 'n#on%#io'% o& o'r #o(('niyF
T"ey $' o'r ('%i# on re#ord% and in dan#e "a!!% $ri#ed %o "ig" we #an
no !onger a&&ord o "ear i*
Dai%!ey ro#k $ro(oer% #reae &en#ed in &e%i)a!%, and $ig% '%e ear ga%,
-aon% and (a#e o kee$ '% o'*
Geware "e $%y#"ede!i# -'%ine%%(an w"o a!k% &ree !o)e on "i% way o
C"a%e Man"aan*
4e grow% "i% "air !ong and $'% on a -rig"!y #o!o'red %"ir -e#a'%e
8T"a,% w"ere i,% a9
T"e (oney "a i%*
4e "a% a -ig $i!e o& #a%" and a %(a!! %o'!*
A "i$ $ig i% %i!! a #a$ia!i% $ig*
A##ording o "i% $er%$e#i)e "e !i('% e% o& a %o#ia! (o)e(en or
#o'ner #'!'re i% w"e"er i #an %'r)i)e "e $ro#e%% o& #o((odi&i#aion
and (ainain i% %en%e o& )a!'e, ideniy and communitas in "e &a#e o&
$o$'!ari%aion, #o((er#ia!i%aion and ri)ia!i/aion* So(e !ike "e New
Age (o)e(en, %o#ia!i%(, en)iron(ena! gro'$% and radiiona!i%
$agan% do o"er%, %'#" a% "e D'nk and "e 4i$$y (o)e(en (ay no, a
!ea% no 'n%#a"ed anyway*
#onclusion.
)a: T'rner,% idea% "a)e -een i((en%e!y in&!'enia! and (any %'die% o&
#o'ner #'!'re%, #arni)a! and &e%i)a!% are -a%ed in "i% work* Der"a$% "e
(o% &a(o'% i% ?i#k 4e-dige,% "ub-culture the #eaning of "tyle w"i#"
e+a(ine% "e D'nk, .!ier and (od (o)e(en% in "e H3,%* T'rner,%
idea% re$re%en a %'-%ania! #onri-'ion o "e %'dy o& an"ro$o!ogy*
4e gro'nded an"ro$o!ogi#a! re%ear#" ino $eo$!e% !i)ed e+$erien#e and
reinrod'#ed "e %'dy o& %$iri'a! and #a"ari# e+$erien#e ino "e %o#ia!
%#ien#e%* 4e a!%o &o#'%ed "e %'dy o& %y(-o!i# an"ro$o!ogy ino "e
('!i$!e !e)e!% o& $er%ona! %igni&i#an#e "a %y(-o!% re$re%en
e+$erienia!!y o "e indi)id'a! and o' o& "e rea!( o& a-%ra#ed
arg'(en regarding a %y(-o!% e%%enia! )a!'e wi" regard% o "e %o#iey*
6ina!!y, "e ga)e new oo!% "a ena-!ed "e %'dy o& an"ro$o!ogy o
(o)e ino "e #one($orary en)iron(en and dea! wi" $"eno(ena !ike
%'--#'!'re% and "e i($a# o& $o$'!ar #'!'re*
W"a %y(-o!i# %r'#'re% and re$re%enaion% #an yo' %ee w"a do "ey
(eanI
W"a e!e(en% o& ani-%r'#'re, "a i% %y(-o!% a$$ro$riaed &ro( "e
(ain%rea( wi" a re#a% (eaning, #an yo' deer(ineI
4ow doe% "e en)iron(en a "e &e%i)a! di&&ereniaed &ro( "e
(ain%rea(I
Are "e $ari#i$an% a-!e o ge $a% "e nor(a! %r'#'re% o& rank and
%a'%I I& %o "ow do "ey 8do&& "e (a%k%9 "a re$re%en w"o "ey areI
?o "ey wear #o%'(e% or dre%% di&&eren!y o #reae a %en%e o& a!ernae
or a'"eni# ideniyI T"i% need no -e e!a-orae* A a ('%i# &e%i)a!
$eo$!e wi!! dre%% ;'ie di&&eren!y o "eir nor(a! aire and "'% nor(a!
#!a%%, #'!'ra! or e"ni# di)i%ion% #an -e -y$a%%ed in "e #o!!e#i)e
e+$erien#e o& "e e)en*
4ow do $eo$!e re$re%en "e(%e!)e%I
I% "ere a #!o%e %en%e o& #a(araderie or "eig"ened !e)e! o& 5oy and
e+$erien#e a "e e)enI
Wi" regard% o yo'r own ana!y%i%, do "e $eo$!e a "e &e%i)a! rea#" a
%ae o& communitasI
*ictor +urner: Liminality, Liminoid #ommunitas
and !nti%structure.
#entral conce-ts for inter-reting festi'als and
counter cultures.
Back.round.
Ar )% S#ien#e*
S#ien#e J #aegorie% o& #!a%%i&i#aion*
Ar% J %y!e, e(oion and %o#ia! dra(a%*
Reiner$reaion o& an"ro$o!ogi#a! engage(en wi"
%'-5e#: Dar o& a #o(('niy no di%in# &ro( i*
Li&e i% a-o' %o#ia! dra(a%, #o(('ni#aion and !i)ed
e+$erien#e*
/ac0 culture, eac0 -erson 1it0in it, uses t0e entire sensory re-ertoire
to con'ey messages: manual gesticulation, facial e2-ressions, bodily
-ostures, ra-id, 0ea'y or lig0t breat0ing, tears, at t0e indi'idual
le'el3 stylised gestures, dance -atterns, -rescribed silences,
sync0roni4ed mo'ement suc0 as marc0ing, t0e mo'es and 5-lays6 of
games, s-ort and rituals, at t0e cultural le'el.
Der%ona! !i)ed e+$erien#e and e(oiona!7%$iri'a!
%igni&i#an#e %"o'!d -e a #enra! #o($onen o&
an"ro$o!ogi#a! re%ear#"*
Sr'#'ra! 6'n#iona!i%( i% inade;'ae*
T"i#k de%#ri$ion i% oo re(oe and %'-5e#i)e*
S'dy %o#iey a% a "eare no a e+*
7il0elm 8ilt0ey.
Li&e e+$erien#e %"o'!d -e "e &o'ndaion o& know!edge*
Life itself, t0e li'ing e2-erience beyond 10ic0 I cannot go, contains
connections 10ic0 0old t0e key to e2-laining all e2-erience and
t0oug0t. !nd it is 0ere t0at t0e decisi'e -oint lies for t0e entire
-ossibility of kno1ledge. 7e 0a'e a kno1ledge of reality only
because life and e2-erience contain a frame1ork 10ic0 1e find in t0e
forms, -rinci-les and categories of t0oug0t, only because 1e can
s0o1 t0at frame1ork in life and e2-erience.
@ (o(en% in any %igni&i#an e+$erien#e*
<: A $er#e$'a! #ore, (ore inen%e e(oion%, $!ea%'re or
$ain "an in nor(a! a#i)iy*
A: T"e #!ear e)o#aion or -ringing '$ o& $a% e+$erien#e%*
=: T"e re)i)a! o& &ee!ing% a%%o#iaed wi" $a% e)en% o&
%y(-o!i# or e(oiona! i($oran#e*
B: T"e generaion o& (eaning -y !inking "o'g"% a-o'
"e $a% and $re%en e)en%*
@: T"e e+$erien#e i% #o($!eed w"en e+$re%%ed and
#o(('ni#aed in %'#" a way "e a'dien#e #an de)e!o$
an 'nder%anding o& "e $er&or(an#e*
A %or% o& E+$erien#e*
!rfahrung 0"e $a%%i)e and !iera! o-%er)aion o& &a#%
and e)en% a% a %o'r#e o& know!edge1
!rlebnis 0"e &a# o& -eing #on%#io'%!y "e %'-5e# o& a
%ae or #ondiion or o& -eing "e #on%#io'%!y and
e(oi)e!y a&&e#ed -y an e)en1
Liminal 's Liminoid Situations.
Liminality i% "e #ondiion o& -eing (id$oin -eween a
%a'% %e;'en#e*
So#ia! 6ie!d%: S$a#e% w"ere a!ernai)e% are #on%idered
and de)e!o$ed*
Arena%: S$a#e% w"ere a!ernai)e% are a$$!ied and
i($!e(ened in %o#iey*
So#ia! ?ra(a%: Are "e #on&!i#% #reaed -y "e
i($!e(enaion o& a!ernai)e %o#ia! $aern% and )a!'e%
in %o#iey*
Communitas: A %en%e o& %$onaneo'% %o#ia-i!iy, !o)e &or
ea#" o"er, a %en%e o& %o!idariy and e;'a!iy and
"eig"ened e(oiona!, #a"ari# or %$iri'a! e+$erien#e*
9eo-le 0a'e a real need to doff t0e masks, cloaks and a--arel and
insignia of status from time to time e'en if only to don t0e liberating
masks of a liminal mas:uerade.
Ani-Sr'#'re: A!ernai)e $aern% o& %o#ia!
re!aion%"i$%, %y(-o!% and #'!'ra! (ari+e% w"i#" are
deri)ed &ro( and, o %o(e e+en, de$endan on "e
#'!'ra! (ain%rea( &or !egii(a#y and $%y#"o-#'!'ra!
i($a#*
Li(inoid: I%o!aed e+$re%%ion% o& !i(ina!iy "a o##'r in
!arge %#a!e e)en% w"ere nor(% #an -e re!a+ed, %'#" a%
#arni)a!%, %$or% e)en%, "eare, ('%i# &e%i)a!% e# and
are #on%'(ed -y indi)id'a!% a% a (aer o& indi)id'a!
#"oi#e* I i% a Do%-ind'%ria! re)o!'ion $"eno(enon*
#ommodification and Liminoid communitas.
A% a !i(inoid e+$re%%ion o& ani-%r'#'re -e#o(e% (ore
wide%$read i -e#o(e% (ore (arkea-!e and "'% #an
!o%e i% #a$a#iy &or #o(('nia% a% i i% rea-%or-ed ino
"e (ain%rea(*
!s t0e subculture begins to strike its o1n eminently marketable -ose,
as its 'ocabulary ;bot0 'isual and 'erbal< becomes more and more
familiar, so t0e referential conte2t to 10ic0 it can be con'eniently
assigned is made increasingly a--arent. /'entually t0e mods, t0e
-unks, t0e glitter rockers can be incor-orated, broug0t back into
line, located on t0e -referred ma- of -roblematic social reality. +0e
Fractured order is re-aired and t0e sub%culture incor-orated as a
di'erting s-ectacle 1it0in t0e dominant myt0ology from 10ic0 it
emanated in t0e first -lace.
Longe)iy and (ainenan#e o& ideniy and $'r$o%e in
"e &a#e o& #o((odi&i#aion #an "'% -e a !i('% e% o&
%o#ia! (o)e(en%*