Myths and Rituals | Anthropology Optional for UPSC PDF Download

Myth
Myth is symbolic narrative, usually of unknown origin and at least partly traditional, that ostensibly relates actual events and that is especially associated with religious belief It is distinguished from symbolic behavior (cult, ritual) and symbolic places or objects (temples, icons accounts) gods or superhuman beings involved in extraordinary events or circumstances in a time that is unspecified but which is understood as existing apart from ordinary human experience. The term mythology denotes both the study of myth and the body of myths belonging to a particular religious tradition.
As with all religious symbolism, there is no attempt to justify mythic narratives or even to render them plausible. Every myth presents itself as an authoritative, factual account, no matter how much the narrated events are at variance with natural law or ordinary experience.
The word myth derives from the Greek myth is which has a range of meanings from "word," through "saying" and "story," to ‘'fiction”; the unquestioned validity of mythos can be contrasted with logos, the word whose validity or truth can be argued and demonstrated. Because myths narrate fantastic events with no attempt at proof, it is sometimes assumed that they are simply stories with no factual basis, and the word has become a synonym for falsehood or, at best, misconception. In the study of religion, however, it is important to distinguish between myths and stories that are merely untrue.

Myth has existed in every society. Indeed, it would seem to be a basic constituent of human culture. Because the variety is so great, it is difficult to generalize about the nature of myths. But it is clear that in their general characteristics and in their details a people's myths reflect express, and explore the people's self-image. The study of myth is thus of central importance in the study both of individual societies and of human culture as a whole.

Ritual
Ritual is the performance of ceremonial acts prescribed by tradition or by sacerdotal decree. Ritual is a specific, observable mode of behaviour exhibited by all known societies. It is thus possible to view ritual as a way of defining or describing humans.
Human beings are sometimes described or defined as a basically rational, economic, political, or playing species. They may, however, also be viewed as ritual beings, who exhibit a striking parallel between their ritual and verbal behavior. Just as language is a system of symbols that is based upon arbitrary rules, ritual may be viewed as a system of symbolic acts that is based upon arbitrary rules.
A patterned act that involves the manipulation of religious symbols is a religious ritual. Religious symbols may be verbal such as the names for gods and spirits, certain phrases or songs which are believed to contain some supernatural powers. Religious symbols may be non-verbal or material objects such as masks, statues, paintings, costumes, body decoration or natural objects.
Religious rituals may be of several types. Rites of passage marking the transition of an individual from one social status to another, rites of intensification directed towards the welfare of the group or society, individual rituals such as the vision quest, shamanistic rituals that involve curing, divination and reading , fortunes among others, and celestial rituals such as the rituals performed by the clergy for the individuals, groups or the whole society.
Most religious rituals use a combination of the following practices to contact and control supernatural spirits Prayer, offerings and sacrifices, manipulation of objects, telling or acting of myths, altering the physiological state of the individual (as in trance and ecstatic experiences or through drugs), music, dance and drama.
Prayer is any conversation held with spirits and gods. Prayer can involve a request or a pleading. It can be in the form of a bargain or consist of merely praising the deity. Prayer may be in the form of a vow; People make a vow in which they promise to carry out a certain kind of behavior such as going on a pilgrimage or building a temple if the gods will grant a particular wish. Other forms of prayer may exist in the form of lie, command, insult or ridicule as found among the North West Coast Indians.
Making offerings and sacrifices to supernatural beings is also a widespread belief and a widespread religious practice. The offerings may consist of the first fruits of harvest such as grain, fish or game. There may be food in the form of meal to the gods. In some societies animals or humans may be sacrificed as offerings to the gods. The Nuer and Poloti of Africa sacrifice sheep, goats and cattle. Several tribes in Central India sacrifice pigs to their gods and goddesses. The Aztecs of Mexico, the Maya of Yucatan, the Khonds of Ganjam hills in Orissa and many tribes in Chota Nagpur had the practice of sacrificing human beings to their gods and goddesses. Manipulation of objects include presentation of specific materials in definite proportions, to the gods, drawing of specific designs, fuming, burning of incense, making of images and others.
Telling or acting out of Myths is also one of the ritual practices. Myths are sacred narratives which tell how the world came to be created through the agency of semi divine heroes. They are powerful media to communicate the religious ideas. They are not mere explanatory stories of the cosmos but rather have a sacred power in them which is-evoked by telling the myths or acting them out ritually. They are recited now and then. They are also acted out in dance,; drama and physical movements. In Hinduism for example, one of the most popular representations of communication with God is the love between the divine Krishna in the form of a cowherd and the Gopis in the form of milkmaids, who are devoted to him. In the dramatic enactment of the stories of Krishna, and in the singing of songs to him, the Hindu religion offers a path to communication with God that can be understood by ordinary people.
Altering the physiological state of the individual includes trance, possession, vision hallucination and divination. Music, dance and drama are sometimes part of religious ritual practices.