Volume 12, Issue 60 (2024)
CFL 2024, 12(60): 147-181 |
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soltaninia A, Aref M, Davudi Roknabadi A. Recognition of the Ritual Performance of Soroog-e Hejla-ye Qasem in Bushehr from the Functionalist Perspective of Malinowski. CFL 2024; 12 (60) :147-181
URL: http://cfl.modares.ac.ir/article-11-71892-en.html
URL: http://cfl.modares.ac.ir/article-11-71892-en.html
1- Student of Islamic Azad university
2- central islamic Azad university of tehran ,m.aref@iauctb.ac.ir
3- Islamic Azad university ,Yazd Branch
2- central islamic Azad university of tehran ,
3- Islamic Azad university ,Yazd Branch
Abstract: (64 Views)
Background
"In every society, no matter how primitive and simple, there is no existence without religion and belief" (Malinowski, 1948, p.1). The ceremonial ritual of Soroog-e Hejla-ye Qasem in Bushehr is among the religious rituals. It has been held by the women of Bushehr with religious conviction and belief from ancient times until now, conducted openly on one of the days of the first decade of Muharram. This ceremonial ritual has two aspects: "joy and mourning," and for this reason, it is named "Soroog" from the word "Soor" (joy) and "Soog" (mourning) and referred to as "the ceremonial ritual of Soroog-e Hejla-ye Qasem." This ceremony has symbolic elements with dual richness that influence its performance. These elements include organizers, speeches, accessories, and food. The hidden and manifest functions of the ceremony in the believability of the people of the region have been analyzed in this study, focusing on these elements as key indicators, through the cognitive functionalism perspective and the fourfold beliefs of Bronislaw Malinowski.
Questions
The following research questions were raised:
1. According to Malinowski's functionalism theory, which emotional-psychological or material human needs does the ceremonial ritual of Soroog-e Hejla-ye Qasem address?
2. How is the ceremonial ritual of Soroog-e Hejla-ye Qasem aligned with the fourfold beliefs and considering the symbolic and performative elements in the dual function (manifest and latent) according to Malinowski's functionalism?
Discussion
Bushehr, due to its unique climatic and ethnic conditions, is a city rich in tradition. It has always been the cradle of rituals and customs intertwined with the thoughts, lives, and beliefs of the people of this region, evolving through different generations over the course of history. By scrutinizing these rituals and examining their functioning and impact, valuable insights can be gained. As "functionalism is an approach in sociology that has long dominated sociological theory" (Ritzer, 1983, p. 117), rituals, customs, and traditions play a significant role in the lives of people in all societies, shaping their survival and continuity, creating functions or consequences within the social system. Early anthropological understanding of rituals suggests that humans gradually attributed forces to supernatural and magical powers. "Thus, they sought means to attract the support of these forces" (Aref, 2020, p. 28). These means evolved and refined over time, eventually transforming into rituals relying on religious foundations and incorporating elements such as performance (chants, music, acting, costumes), storytelling, colors, songs, conflicts, spectators, and actors. This fusion of rituals, art, and ethnic beliefs laid the foundation for the tripartite theatrical ritual of peoples worldwide, manifesting in different functions with specific laws stemming from both hidden and visible influences. In other words, "between the human body and the secondary environment in which he lives, traditions, customs, and laws of life are formed, which are the result of the interaction between human life processes and his manipulations in the environment and the subsequent regulation of the environment" (Malinowski, 1994, p. 83). This study also examines the ritual performance of "Qasem's Wedding" from the perspective of Malinowski's functionalism to understand its functioning and impact. Iranian society has always had a special regard for religion and has benefited from its emotional influences. Malinowski's functionalism has been interpreted differently, and it is worth noting that many studies have been conducted on Malinowski's theory, but none have approached the religious-theatrical ritual of Soroog-e Hejla-ye Qasem in Bushehr from a functionalist perspective. The aim of this article is to analyze this religious-theatrical ritual based on modern anthropological theories, emphasizing the principle of functional necessity, and thus dissect its constituent elements.
Conclusion
According to the principle of functionality in functionalism theory, rituals in general, and the ritual of Soroog-e Hejla-ye Qasem as a native manifestation of those rituals, have had a kind of social impact and are held to address certain needs of society and the organizers. In other words, the survival and continuity of this ritual have been preserved to this day based on its necessity and function. This is because, according to Malinowski's theory, every institution as a part of society can have a significant function relative to the entire society, and its function is to meet those human needs. The present research has been conducted in a library and field method and through participatory observation, which based on Malinowski's functionalist quadrangle theory and the constituent elements of the ritual, evaluates the mentioned performative ritual and the following results have been obtained:
According to the evidence, the sustainability of social stability in the performance of Soroog-e Hejla-ye Qasem, considering its constituent elements, namely the organizers, speech, accessories, and food, is considered as a collective group experience within the framework of strengthening the institutions of the region's society; because a society engages in group activities in all social fields, and because participants in such ceremonies, according to Malinowski's theory, respond to some of their emotional needs or receive responses to some of their needs based on religious beliefs, they strengthen the social stability of the group and community and continue their lives together in a more cohesive manner. In terms of the cathartic aspect of this performative ritual, it provides catharsis and emotional release in collective expression, which is considered as a response to emotional and psychological needs. This function is also very effective because individuality is respected in this flow, and in addition to that, it connects to a circle that expresses their identity and empowerment in a feminine gathering and in a safe environment. Discovering this aspect leads to the expansion of capabilities in other areas of life and provides a foundation for the individual. The evident function of Soroog-e Hejla-ye Qasem is the expression of distressing emotions in a safe environment without the judgment of others.
Another response to psychological needs according to Malinowski's functionalism, which is considered one of his quadrangle dimensions, is strengthening human capacity in facing the multitude of problems and unanswered questions that humans have always faced throughout history. Among human concerns has always been about death, which is addressed, among other things, in the symbolic ritual of Soroog-e Hejla-ye Qasem. The holding of this ritual, considering that it deals with the life of Qasem and his martyrdom, secretly considers the feeling of immortality after death and eternal life in him, and creates a sense of empowerment to deal with problems. This is because after centuries, it keeps the memory of its religious myths alive and this life continues in rituals, even mourning rituals. The performer reaches self-awareness, sometimes consciously and sometimes unconsciously, after the end of this ceremony, and this makes him capable in the turmoil of life events. In the specific field of religion, it also has evidence of one of the quadrangular elements, showing that rituals express the practical application of religious rulings and the formation process of religion; therefore, holding rituals has an undeniable and significant impact on preserving and perpetuating religion and human religious beliefs. This is also reflected in this religious and theatrical ritual of Soroog-e Hejla-ye Qasem.
Article Type: پژوهشی اصیل |
Subject:
Folklore
Received: 2023/10/8 | Accepted: 2024/10/17 | Published: 2024/12/30
Received: 2023/10/8 | Accepted: 2024/10/17 | Published: 2024/12/30
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