article

Religious involution: internal change, and its consequences, in the taboo-system of the Mentawaians

Tropical man5 • Published In 1976 • Pages: 46-81

By: Schefold, Reimar.

Abstract
Basing his analysis on Clifford Geertz's work on involutionary change in agricultural patterns in Java which triggered off reactions in other culture sectors of the society, Schefold attempts to show in this study how the advent of new external conditions, or at any rate external conditions experienced as new, have brought about certain changes in Mentawei religious institutions, particularly in reference to the observance of taboos. These changes "…have a subsequent influence, more or less strong, on other spheres of life. Effected changes reestablish in more complex guise the previous situation. They merely signify a modification of basic patterns already in existence; as a consequence of a pressure which remains to be more closely analysed bring in their wake real evolution. -- Other than in the instance depicted by Geertz, on Mentawai it is also possible to observe counter-tendencies which insure that culture despite involutionary developments will not bog down in a blind alley" (p. 48).
Subjects
Theoretical orientation in research and its results
Sociocultural trends
Cultural participation
Arranging a marriage
Nuptials
Residence
Grandparents and grandchildren
General character of religion
Animism
Avoidance and taboo
Pregnancy
culture
Mentawaians
HRAF PubDate
2000
Region
Asia
Sub Region
Southeast Asia
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle; 2000
Field Date
1967-1969
Coverage Date
not specified
Coverage Place
Mentawei Islands, west of Sumatra, Indonesia
Notes
Reimar Schefold
Includes bibliographical references (p. 81)
LCCN
sn90040007
LCSH
Mentawai (Indonesian people)