In Between:
An examination of three anthropologists’ moments of liminality
Liminality is a term used in anthropology to describe a period of transition concerning social structure and understanding. Liminality consists of a pre-liminal state, a liminal period, and a communitas state. The pre-liminal state is characteristically defined as a time when events occur under specific conditions that start to press against an individual’s normal social structure and thought process. The liminal period is a time of “in-between” in which individuals no longer participate in their typical social structures or identify with their characteristic ways of thinking. Contemporaneously, they are on the edge of transitioning into an aberrant social structure …show more content…
In this moment of no reservations, many anthropologists have been able to fully immerse themselves into the spiritual rituals of their studied cultures. As mentioned above, the liminal period that brings one to the communitas state occurs in various forms. Bruce Grindal’s liminal period was a physical crossing of a threshold (Grindal 1983, p.77). The liminal period that led him to his communitas state resulted from having “no way out” of the situation he found himself in at that moment. In that moment, Grindal’s routine way of doing things was left outside of the hut. Grindal gives credit to a series of conditions that happen to align and combine in the right way that allowed him to experience this moment of great vulnerability and transition. The result was that he witnessed the raising of the dead. Grindal’s pre-liminal state was constructed via external factors acting upon him (Grindal 1983, p.77), his liminal period was immersing himself in the tent of the Goka (66), and the communitas state was Grindal experiencing an event thought foreign and impossible in his normal processes. In the end, Grindal had a more accurate picture of the Tamu to …show more content…
It was the liminal period, the “in between” stage of liminality. If one is not willing to step out of his or her pre-conceived social structure and way of thinking, the he or she will never cross over the threshold, and the individual will always experience the same things and remain stagnant in his or her understanding. A liminal period is absolutely necessary for the growth and development of an individual’s mental and spiritual processes. What religious beliefs a person has, or doesn’t have, is not taken into account with liminality. Inevitably events will occur in life that go against one’s way of thinking and doing. A person can choose to fight it or accept it. The choice the person makes is of great importance. Choosing to fight these moments hinders personal progress and maturation. Choosing to accept this time of uncertainty will lead to a new understanding, and perhaps appreciation, of life and
An examination of three anthropologists’ moments of liminality
Liminality is a term used in anthropology to describe a period of transition concerning social structure and understanding. Liminality consists of a pre-liminal state, a liminal period, and a communitas state. The pre-liminal state is characteristically defined as a time when events occur under specific conditions that start to press against an individual’s normal social structure and thought process. The liminal period is a time of “in-between” in which individuals no longer participate in their typical social structures or identify with their characteristic ways of thinking. Contemporaneously, they are on the edge of transitioning into an aberrant social structure …show more content…
In this moment of no reservations, many anthropologists have been able to fully immerse themselves into the spiritual rituals of their studied cultures. As mentioned above, the liminal period that brings one to the communitas state occurs in various forms. Bruce Grindal’s liminal period was a physical crossing of a threshold (Grindal 1983, p.77). The liminal period that led him to his communitas state resulted from having “no way out” of the situation he found himself in at that moment. In that moment, Grindal’s routine way of doing things was left outside of the hut. Grindal gives credit to a series of conditions that happen to align and combine in the right way that allowed him to experience this moment of great vulnerability and transition. The result was that he witnessed the raising of the dead. Grindal’s pre-liminal state was constructed via external factors acting upon him (Grindal 1983, p.77), his liminal period was immersing himself in the tent of the Goka (66), and the communitas state was Grindal experiencing an event thought foreign and impossible in his normal processes. In the end, Grindal had a more accurate picture of the Tamu to …show more content…
It was the liminal period, the “in between” stage of liminality. If one is not willing to step out of his or her pre-conceived social structure and way of thinking, the he or she will never cross over the threshold, and the individual will always experience the same things and remain stagnant in his or her understanding. A liminal period is absolutely necessary for the growth and development of an individual’s mental and spiritual processes. What religious beliefs a person has, or doesn’t have, is not taken into account with liminality. Inevitably events will occur in life that go against one’s way of thinking and doing. A person can choose to fight it or accept it. The choice the person makes is of great importance. Choosing to fight these moments hinders personal progress and maturation. Choosing to accept this time of uncertainty will lead to a new understanding, and perhaps appreciation, of life and