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).
Subjects
Verbal arts
Gender status
Cosmology
Sexuality
culture
Greeks
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