A History of Collective Joy
Barbara Ehrenreich
- Auteur(s)
- Barbara Ehrenreich
- Uitgever
- New York : Metropolitan Books, 2006
- Omvang
- 320 p., geïllustreerd, 24 cm.
- ISBN
- 9780805057234
The author uncovers the deep origins of communal revelry in human biology and culture, and also what causes us to fear celebration, carnival and ecstasy. At a time when social scientists are lamenting the loss of a sense of community, Ehrenreich offers an absorbing look at the joy of life expressed in communal rituals of dance and celebration. From cave drawings through the celebrations of weddings, religious rites, healing, and war preparations of various cultures to modern "carnivalization" of sports celebrations, she traces the appeal of synchronizing individual movements to a group. Western culture, with little understanding of the ecstasy of love expressed in group celebrations, has looked on such celebrations as primitive hysterics and banned them among African slaves, Native Americans, and other cultures. But Ehrenreich details a long history of such celebrations in European cultures, from the festivals of Dionysus to those of medieval Christians. She also explores other cultures' reactions to dance celebrations they viewed as somehow socially or spiritually subversive. Given the social nature of humans, Ehrenreich is optimistic that the drive to "civilize" will never fully eliminate the impulse for group celebration.
- Trefwoorden
- body , sociology , social practice - community art , anthropology , rituals
- Locatie in de bibliotheek
- Kast 31 - 2: Lichaam en omgeving
- Extra thema's
- Body and Architecture, Body and Space, Residents and the built environment ;
- Opmerkingen
- Incl. bibliographical references and Index.
