Models and Mirrors Towards an Anthropology of Public Events [Paperback]

Ritual is one of the most discussed cultural practices, yet its treatment in anthropological terms has been seriously limited, characterized by a host of narrow conceptual distinctions. One major reason for this situation has been the prevalence of positivist anthropologies that have viewed and summarized ritual occasions first and foremost in terms of their declared and assumed functions. By contrast, this book, which has become a classic, investigates them as epistemological phenomena in their own right. Comparing public events - a domain which includes ritual and related occasions - the author argues that any public event must first be comprehended through the logic of its design. It is the logic of organization of an occasion which establishes in large measure what that occasion is able to do in relation to the world within which it is created and practiced.

List of Figures

Preface to the Second Edition:Theorizing Through Models and Mirrors

Acknowledgements

Part I: Introduction

Chapter 1.Premises and Prepossessions
Chapter 2.Models and Mirrors
Chapter 3.Precariousness in Play

Part II: Proto-Events

Chapter 4.The Donkey Game
Chapter 5.Banana Time

Part III: Public Events

Chapter 6.The Palio of Siena
Chapter 7.Christmas Mumming in Newfoundland

Chapter 8.Holiday Celebrations in Israeli Kindergartens
(Co-author,Lea Shamgar-Handelman)

Chapter 9.State Ceremonies of Israel - Remembrance Day and Independence Day
(Co-author, Elihu Katz)

Chapter 10.Symbolic Types - Clowns

Epilogue:Towards Media Events

Notes
Bibliography
Index

Handelman's work expands our understanding of lc0