Celebrations of Death:The Anthropology of Mortuary Ritual - Softcover

Huntington, Richard; Metcalfe, Peter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521295408 ISBN 13: 9780521295406

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1979

Synopsis

This revised edition of a cross-cultural study of rituals surrounding death has become a standard text in anthropology, sociology and religion. Part of its fascination is that in understanding other people's death rituals we are able to gain a better understanding of our own. The authors refer to a wide variety of examples, from different continents and epochs. They compare the great tombs of the Berawan of Borneo and the pyramids of Egypt, as well as the dramas of medieval French royal funerals and the burial alive of the Dinka 'masters of the spear' in the Sudan, and other rituals which at first sight seem to have little in common. Many of these cases are anthropological classics, but the authors place them in an alternative context, so as to shape a novel synthesis on the anthropology of death ritual. A fresh introduction reviews theoretical developments in the field since the book first appeared in 1979.

About this title

Review:

"...a model of clarity. It can be read by specialist and non-specialist alike..." Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion

"...a readable and fascinating survey that on occasions borders on the brilliant." Choice

Book Description:

This revised edition of a cross-cultural study of rituals surrounding death has become a standard text in anthropology, sociology and religion. Part of its fascination is that in understanding other people's death rituals we are able to gain a better understanding of our own. The authors refer to a wide variety of examples, from different continents and epochs.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1979
• ISBN 10: 0521295408
• ISBN 13: 9780521295406
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272