article
Sacrifice at the bridge of Arta: sex roles and the manipulation of power
Journal of modern Greek studies • 1 (1) • Published In 1983 • Pages: 173-183
By: Mandel, Ruth.
Abstract
In this paper, Mandel provides a structural analysis of a Greek ballad to argue that women play a mediating role in Greek society between 'culture' and 'nature', and 'insider' and 'outsider' kinship status. 'The Bridge of Arta' is a tale about a woman who is buried in a bridge foundation, in order to give the bridge a soul and insure its longevity. According to Mandel, the bridge is a liminal construction between two places. Similarly, a married woman spans two family groups, but belongs to neither one. Women's creative powers and sexuality (nature) are used for procreation and the reproduction of the husband's family (culture).
- HRAF PubDate
- 2003
- Region
- Europe
- Sub Region
- Southeastern Europe
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard ; 2002
- Field Date
- not specified
- Coverage Date
- not specified
- Coverage Place
- Greece
- Notes
- Ruthe Mandel
- Special Issue: Women and men in Greece: a society in transition
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 182-183)
- LCCN
- 84642094
- LCSH
- Greece