Can any one explain to me the role of ritual and death in tribal societies or point me in the right direction?

Question

Can any one explain to me the role of ritual and death in tribal societies or point me in the right direction?

Answer 1

You have not specified any particular tribal society, so I gather you are seeking generalized information regarding a tribal nucleus vs. sheer familial nucleus, individual as socius etc.  Earlier S. American tribal settings, for example, were but matrifocal arrangements, even aggregate of familial groups under some admired woman as if "tribal mother".  Ritual and death are not even synonymous in many instances, even among varying Native American tribes.  Perhaps you were more curious of "rites of passage" as oft regarded.  Relevant to female tribal groups vs. western culture which supposes some importance of male chief, gynarchists of antiquity clearly embraced whatever opportunity at intimacy with some males, yet unlike misperceptions today of feminine frailty did not typically seek masculine protection nor guidance.  Very similarly, even ancient pagans as regarded, incl. eastern cultures, many of whom were originally but villagers whom refused preindustrialized concepts of townships, were oft comprised of single mothers, single women, whatever offspring if any, and occ. male consorts whom were more as subordinate concubines of the women.  Those tribal fusions, i.e. eclectic communities of none specific religious vice were originally thought to embrace no known actual rituals, for most of their supposed faith were premised upon simple fundamental principles and relevant ethics.  Though I know of some actual rites of passage, I hesitate to specify any, for that to do so more often merely tends to foster added notions of limitation and resulting deficiencies.

Answer 2

try levi-strauss, carter's golden bough, kubler-ross. Death is scarey; people try to rationalise it. Ritual makes it less scarey; an after world is suggested; the dead's spirit placated. Shared ritual binds a group together and creates identity. Ritaul is a way of controlling people; their time and resources; it vests certain idividuals eg priests, with power. ritual prevents blodshed; exchange of gifts, displays and threats, etc. It helps mariages and family structre and allows maturation of indiv's through coming-of-age ceremonies. Ritual defines culture largely, along with language and custom.

Answer 3

Rituals after death imply the belief that a person's spirit/soul lives on...

Primitive tribal societies probably buried their dead, or cremated them, so wild animals would not perceive humans as part of their diet...It's also a more hygenic method of disposal for something which has become lifeless...