Body is a biological system, but also a medium, through which an individual as well as their culture are actualized in the world. Both the individual and culture conceptualize the body in notions that, together with physical perceptions, constitute bodily experience. In studying ancient cultures, such as Mesopotamia, the actual bodily experience is lost for us, but the cultural notions can be reconstructed. The present thesis focuses on the notions of body and disease in Mesopotamian healing practice recorded in professional medical literature that was being canonized and copied since the late second millennium BCE. The collections of prescriptions called "therapeutic texts" are of main interest, since they present the healing procedure itself. In these texts, I analyzed the verbal descriptions of disease and healing as well as the physical treatment of the body with regard to general context and with focus on cases of fever. The thesis concludes, that the texts present the interaction between the body and the disease as spatial and physical, in their metaphors as well as in the prescribed treatment of the body and of surrounding space. Fever entered from outer space, attached itself to the body, it "seized" or "took hold" of the person, and needed to be removed. Its independent agency, the way...

Critics generally read the matter of diagetic subjectivity as existential in Carlos Solórzano's works Las manos de Dios and El sueño del ángel. This study, however, seeks to explore the possibility of non-existential modes of subjectivity in these dramas. It posits an Althusserian mode of subjectivity due to the central conflict of the plays revolving around the oppressive rituals of a controlling church institution. Although the author expresses existential ideals, a reading that takes into account the issue of the church as an ideology producing mechanism, as well as its modes of operation, shows that on the diagetic level the experience of the characters is one in which they find themselves in a world where individuals operate as non-autonomous subjects.

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To engage in wage labor is a significant aspect of many individuals' lives. A workplace can be a space where colleagues communicate and interact with each other. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous individuals were forced into remote work, which became a substantial part of employees' new routines. As restrictions on remote work are lifted, a transition phase begins for some employees. Today, many wage earners have returned to a physical workplace. This transition is something that may have affected the social work environment. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis is to create a deeper understanding of employees' experiences of interaction in the physical workplace after a period of remote work. To address the purpose, seven employees in the white-collar sector who have all experienced the transition from remote work back to a physical workplace were interviewed. The results were analyzed using Randall Collins (2004) framework on interaction rituals and emotional energy, as well as previous research on the positive and negative effects of interaction in a workplace. The results show that employees now appreciate interaction in the physical workplace more than before the pandemic. It highlights that the everyday interactions occurring with employees' return to a physical workplace contribute to creating well-being. Spontaneous interactions, such as a good morning when entering the office or small talk in the corridor, can be satisfying and foster a sense of comfort among employees. The results indicate that employees describe shared breaks as contributing to maintaining a sense of community and providing a feeling of belonging. However, interaction can also be perceived as distracting, as employees have become accustomed to working in a calm and uninterrupted environment while working from home. The results also show that new patterns of interaction using digital tools continue to be useful upon returning to the office, but these digital platforms fail to replicate the informal interactions and social bonds that typically occur in a physical workplace. / Att lönearbeta är en stor del av många individers liv. En arbetsplats kan vara en plats där kollegor kommunicerar och interagerar med varandra. I samband med covid-19 tvingades en mängd individer till distansarbete, och det blev en stor del av anställdas nya vardag. Rådet kring att arbeta på distans tas bort och en återgångsfas påbörjas för en del anställda. Idag har många anställda kommit tillbaka till en fysisk arbetsplats igen. Denna omställning är något som kan ha påverkat den sociala arbetsmiljön. Syftet med uppsatsen är därför att skapa djupare förståelse för anställdas upplevelser av interaktion på den fysiska arbetsplatsen efter en period av distansarbete. För att besvara syftet har sju anställda inom tjänstemannasektorn som alla varit med om en omställning från distansarbete tillbaka till en fysisk arbetsplats intervjuats. Resultatet har analyserats med hjälp Randall Collins (2004) ramverk om interaktionsritualer och emotionell energi samt tidigare forskning kring vilka positiva och negativa effekter interaktion kan ha på en arbetsplats. Resultatet visar att de anställda uppskattar interaktion på den fysiska arbetsplatsen mer nu än innan pandemin. Det tydliggör att den vardagliga interaktion som sker i samband med anställdas återkomst till en fysisk arbetsplats bidrar till att skapa välbefinnande. Den interaktion som sker spontant såsom ett godmorgon när man kommer in i kontorslandskapet eller småprat i korridoren, kan vara tillfredställande och skapa trivsel hos de anställda. Resultatet visar att de anställda beskriver att de gemensamma rasterna bidrar till att upprätthålla en gemenskap och ger en känsla av tillhörighet. Men parallellt kan interaktion upplevas distraherande, på grund av att de anställda blivit van av att arbeta i en lugn och ostörd miljö när de arbetade hemifrån. Resultatet visar även att nya mönster av interaktion med hjälp av digitala hjälpmedel fortsätter vara användbara vid återkomsten till ett kontorslandskap, men att dessa digitala plattformar inte lyckas att replikera den informella interaktionen och de sociala band som vanligtvis sker på en fysisk arbetsplats.

This study was about death rituals among the Karanga of Nyajena, Masvingo, Zimbabwe, who are a sub-group of the Shona people. This inquiry’s primary purpose was tripartite in outlook. First, it described the Karanga causes of sickness and death, and Karanga death rituals. Second, it explored the significance of these rituals to the Karanga people. Third, the study traced and identified the changes in the practice and significance of some of the rituals. The overall goal of this inquiry was to compose a brief manual for the performance of some of the Karanga death rituals. The inquiry divided the Karanga death rituals into three major categories, namely, pre-burial rituals, burial rituals, and post-burial rituals. The investigation employed qualitative research traditions, particularly ethnography, in the collection and interpretation of the relevant research data, in pursuit of the goals mentioned above. Postcolonial theory was used to give a theoretical framework to this study. This study was necessitated by the need of a written manual on the performance of Karanga death rituals. The study compiled the participants’ narratives concerning the praxis, meaning, and changes in the Karanga death rituals in an attempt to analyze and write them down for posterity. The inquiry found out that although the praxis of the rituals was still rememberd by many Karanga people, some of them were no longer performed, and their significance had been lost. Although the study acknowledged the inevitable dynamism of culture, it held that every ethnicity should have some cultural or religious constants so that its identity is not lost. Hence, the Karanga of Nyajena should retrace their footsteps back to their death rituals in order to rediscover and reaffirm their battered cultural identity and integrity. / Religious Studies and Arabic / D. Phil. (Religious Studies)

本篇論文主要以二結王公廟為研究對象，藉此探討台灣古公三王信仰的發展。透過長期於二結王公廟的田野調查，釐清大二結社區不同階段的社會發展與歷史脈絡，進而理解二結王公廟的建廟歷程及在地互動，以此為中心向外討論目前台灣各古公三王廟的分布情形、發展概況等，從深入訪談及參與觀察所蒐集之材料，探究二結王公廟在古公三王信仰中的角色、傳播上的重要性及其各項祭儀之特色。 　　二結王公廟作為大二結地區的信仰中心，除了原有的宗教功能外，也因王公廟與古公三王對在地人的特殊意義，故在二結王公廟重建工程上做出不一樣的選擇，激發社區居民對公共事務的關心及參與，成為大二結社區營造的一個起點，更從往後的二結王公文化節、大二結王公藝術研究所、二結庄生活文化館等，清楚看見大二結社區如何在原有的古公三王信仰基礎上，運用社區營造的概念，讓宗教活動添增創新的元素，以現代的手法保存及宣揚廟宇文化，並在過程中再次拉近社區居民之間的關係，加深對社區的認同及情感。 　　王公廟最為人知的宗教祭儀為每年農曆十一月十五日的王公生，其中的抓乩童及過炭火儀式更獲選為十大民俗祭典，並被登錄為無形文化資產，使王公生儼然成為二結王公廟的特色。除了王公生慶典外，王公廟的濟世類祭儀保留了傳統關輦出字方式，替信徒解決各項疑難雜症，即使在醫學、科技發達的今日，仍有許多信徒至王公廟問事尋求協助。至於歲時祭儀與公事類祭儀，雖與一般廟宇未有太多不同，但依舊可從儀式進行上的些微差異，進而理解二結王公廟的發展背景與經營情形。 　　根據內政部宗教團體登記與中華道教古公三王弘道協會會員名單，目前台灣共有二十四間古公三王廟，其中十七間寺廟為直接或間接自二結王公廟分香，顯示出二結王公廟在古公三王信仰傳播上的重要性。若以地區進行區分，宜蘭縣以外的九間古公三王廟，傳播原因多與二結人、宜蘭人向外遷徙移居有關，呈現古公三王作為宜蘭人地方神的特色。民國九十年（2001），中華道教古公三王弘道協會成立，並透過至中國大陸重修祖廟、恭迎中國大陸王公神像來台祀奉以及組團進香謁祖等計畫，建立與加深在台古公三王廟對中國大陸祖廟的認同，開始讓分香廟對二結王公廟在台祖廟的認同造成影響，使以二結王公廟為中心的廟際網絡逐漸產生變化。 關鍵字：古公三王、二結王公廟、宗教祭儀、民間信仰、輦轎過火 / This thesis mainly focuses on Erjie Wanggong Temple and the development of Gu Gong San Wang Belief in Taiwan. Through the long-term fieldwork in Erjie, this study aims to clarify social development and historical contexts of Great Erjie in different eras and thereby get further understanding of the establishment and interaction with local communities of Erjie Wanggong Temple, in order to discuss the spreading and current situation of Gu Gong San Wang temples in Taiwan. By in-depth interviews and participant observation, this study attempts to explain the role of Erjie Wanggong Temple in Gu Gong San Wang Belief, its importance in spreading process and the characteristics of its rituals. As the most important religious site in Great Erjie, Erjie Wang Gong Temple’s rebuilding plan aroused local residents to participate in public affairs and has become the starting point of community development of Great Erjie. The following Erjie Wanggong Cultural Festival, Great Erjie Art Research and Erjie Cultural Museum show that how the Great Erjie community preserve and promote temple culture in modern ways. In the process, the relationship among community members has been strengthened. The birthday of Wanggong (ông-kong senn) on the 15th day of the 11th month of the lunar calendar is the most well-known religious festival of Erjie Wanggong Temple. The ritual of "catching spirit medium" (liap tâng-ki) and "fire-walking" (kuè-hué) of the festival was elected as one of the top 10 festivals by the General Association of National Culture in 2007 and was registered as intangible cultural heritage by the Bureau of Cultural Heritage in 2011. In addition, Jishi rituals of the temple still preserve traditional resolutions to solve the problems in followers' modern daily life. According to the Ministry of Interior and Chinese Taoism Gu Gong San Wang Promote Association, there are 24 Gu Gong San Wang temples in Taiwan. 17 of them are branches of Erjie Wanggong Temple, which implies the significance of Erjie Wanggong Temple in the spreading process. The establishment of 9 Gu Gong San Wang temples located outside Yilan County was mostly related to the emigration of people from Erjie and Yilan, representing the role of Gu Gong San Wang as the Local God of Yilan people. In 2001, Chinese Taoism Gu Gong San Wang Promote Association was established. It started to construct and deepen the recognition of original temple in Mainland China from Gu Gong San Wang temples in Taiwan. Therefore, the recognition of Erjie Wanggon Temple as the original temple in Taiwan from branches has been influenced and the Erjie-centered network has been gradually changed. Keywords: Gu Gong San Wang, Erjie Wanggong Temple, religious rituals, folk beliefs, ambrosial palankeen and fire-walking

Summaries in English and Afrikaans / This thesis embarked with the problem within the liturgy that tension exists in trying to minister justly according to the current context and trying to minister faithful to Scripture. A departing perspective is that the liturgy is the heartbeat in the congregation whereto and from where every aspect is networking. Also, that the emphasis can be on both proclaiming and celebrating in Protestant liturgies. Dialogical communication was chosen as theoretical approach together with communicative action for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The first and last chapters illustrate what is meant with the term liturgy. The problem is stated (and investigated) that liturgy is a complicated and central phenomenon, which ought to let Reformed theology as well as a postmodern context come to their own. It is also indicated that liturgical spirituality, liturgical communication and liturgical pastorate can better be used and improved during Sunday liturgies. For the liturgy in order to serve the Reformed tradition and the postmodern context, and to uplift the three liturgical aspects of spirituality, communication and pastorate, liturgical symbols and rituals are posed as timeless agents to better the liturgy. Attention was also given to symbolism in Scripture. This led to a model of application as a theory of praxis for the liturgical use of symbols and rituals. The core of this model or theory of praxis, is: I. The highest priority in liturgical symbolism will always be to promote the holy Trinity and Biblical principles. II. The supplementary use of right-brain components, such as experience, emotion and music. III. A high premium on active participation and repetition. IV. An approach of simplicity and soberness. V. Relevance to the culture and context of the day. VI. Services that take hold of total persons and focus on multiple senses and corporeality (bodily involvement). i VII. Room for transendence, imagination and mystic worship of God. VIII. Actions and services that embrace diversity, pluralism and generative variety. IX. Meetings where pastoral and therapeutic dimensions are included. X. Celebration and positive experiences in meetings. XI. The use of images, stories, metaphors and icons. XII. The use of meta-communicative principles such as attitude, intention and high validation of other people. / Hierdie proefskrif het vertrek met die probleem vanuit die liturgie dat daar binne die huidige konteks en die deurlopende poging tot getrouheid aan die Skrif toenemend spanning groei in die eredienspraktyk. Die proefskrif vertrek ook vanuit die perspektief dat die liturgie die hartklop en voedingsaar van die gemeente is van waaruit en waarheen die totale gemeente netwerk en dat die verkondigingsbenadering en die vierings-benadering altwee 'n legitieme plek in die Protestantse liturgiese tradisie het. As teoretiese vertrekpunt vir die liturgiese handelinge word dialogiese kommunikasie gekies saam met kommunikatiewe handelinge ter wille van die evangelie van Jesus Christus. In die eerste en laaste hoofstukke word verduidelik wat met die begrip liturgie bedoel word. Die probleem word gestel dat die liturgie 'n komplekse handeling en kardinale fenomeen is wat reg moet laat geskied aan die Gereformeerde teologie en aan 'n postmoderne konteks. Verder word uitgewys dat liturgiese spiritualiteit, liturgiese kommunikasie en liturgiese pastoraat in ons huidige tydgleuf meer benut en uitgebou kan word tydens die weeklikse liturgiee. Ten einde die liturgie in haar Gereformeerde tradisie en postmoderne konteks te dien en om die drie liturgiese fasette van spiritualiteit, kommunikasie en pastoraat te bevorder, word liturgiese simbole en rituele aangebied as tydlose en tydige agente om die liturgie mee te verryk. Om die ondersoeke af te rond, is daar ook aan simboliek in die Bybel aandag gegee. 'n Werkswyse is gevolg waar die Gereformeerde teologie en postmoderniteit ontleed is en in verband gebring is met simbole en rituele. Liturgiese spiritualiteit, liturgiese kommunikasie en liturgiese pastoraat is ook gedissekteer, ten einde dit beter te begryp, en in verband te bring met liturgiese simbole en rituele. Daarna het simboliek aan die beurt gekom en is simbole en rituele gedefinieer, ontleed en na aard, wese en toepassing bestudeer. Simboliek in die Bybel is afgetas om gewig te verleen aan die ondersoeke. Uit al die genoemde ontledings en bevindings wys die proefskrif uit dat simbole en rituele inderdaad uitnemend geskik is om die liturgie eer aan te doen in die eiesoortige soeke na voortreflike vlakke van spiritualiteit, kommunikasie en pastoraat binne Gereformeerde en postmoderne kontekste. Hieruit is 'n toepassingsmodel as omvattende praktykteorie aangebied vir die liturgiese gebruik van simbole en rituele as die bydrae van hierdie proefskrif. (5.4 en 5.5). Die kern van die model of praktykteorie vir die liturgiese toepassing van simboliek is: I. Dat die hoogste doelstelling en swaarwigtigste vergestalting met simboliek in die erediens altyd God Drie-Enig en Bybelse waardes en beginsels is. II. Dat aanvullende gebruikmaking en verrekening van regterbreinkomponente soos ervaring, emosie en musiek noodsaaklik is. Ill. 'n Doelbewuste hoe premie op handelende deelname en herhaling. IV. 'n Benadering van eenvoud en soberheid. V. Handelinge en momente wat spreek tot die kultuur en konteks van die dag. VI. Erediensmomente wat die totale mens betrek en infokus op veelsintuiglikheid en liggaamlikheid. VII. Ruimte vir transendensie, verbeelding en mistiek om God te aanbid. VIII. Handelinge wat diversiteit, pluralisme en generatiewe verskeidenheid omhels en vier. IX. Byeenkomste wat pastorale en terapeutiese roepings insluit. X. Samekomste waar feestelikheid en aangename ervarings beleef word. XI. Kommunikeerders wat beelde, verhale, metafore en ikone gebruik. XII. Handelinge waar ag geslaan word op metakommunikatiewe beginsels soos gesindheid, intensie en hoe waardetoekennings aan die ander persoon. / Practial Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)

This study investigated the process of bereavement in the Xhosa, Zulu and Tswana cultures with participants including three cultural experts and a bereaved family from each ethnic group. Data was collected using semi – structured interviews mainly in the participants’ homes. Analysis was used by comparing and contrasting the information gathered. Empirical research findings revealed that the process in the African culture specifically in these three ethnic groups is different from the western culture as stated in the literature. The literature review findings show that the western culture’s processes of bereavement seem focused in the intrapersonal processes. However, the African Black cultures seem to be focused more on interpersonal processes of bereavement. Recommendations are made in the study on how a western trained Educational Psychologist can approach a bereaved client coming from these ethnic groups. Recommendations are also made for Educators and Parents. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

The purpose of this thesis is to establish whether Swedish fan conventions organised around East-Asian popular culture such as anime and manga can be identified as a form of secular ritual. The methods used to determine this include participant observation, interviews and ethnographic data. Defining secular ritual as a performance event that establishes an alternative context that transforms the everyday without being connected to a religious or supernatural worldview or origin, we find that Swedish conventions of this kind may be called a form of ritual that engages people united by a common, broad field of interests and a notion of being outside of society’s norms in different ways, most notably in regards to sexuality and gender. This opens a discussion about Swedish fan conventions and how they may inform us about the use and function of rituals in a secularised society.

The thesis discusses a category of cultural heritage that has been labelled "Sami circular offering sites", aiming to establish some basic facts about their origin, distribution and use, as well as their cultural and socio-political context and influence. The stone enclosures in question have been interpreted as Sami offering sites since the mid-19th century, but a discourse analysis of the research history indicates that this may have been based on a scholarly hypothesis rather than ethnographic or archaeological evidence. Furthermore it is questioned if all the structures that are currently included in this category are in fact remains of the same cultural practice. This is investigated through surveys of 81 suggested circular offering sites in Norway, two excavations and analyses of the find material. The large stone enclosures in counties Finnmark and Troms that were first categorised in this way prove to have quite consistent builds and measurements and a find material mainly dating between the 13th and 17th centuries. These structures are here labelled type 1. In contrast, constructions that have later been added to the category, particularly in other areas, have other and less consistent characteristics and seem to include remains of a range of different activities. They are here divided into two generic types 2 and 3. The thesis further discusses alternative interpretations for the type 1 structures, concluding that their materiality, construction, location, topography and finds are consistent with archaeological, historical and ethnographic evidence for wolf traps. Their distribution indicates a regional Sami cultural practice related to inland winter habitation and travel routes, while also apparently coinciding with the Russian/Karelian taxation area in northern Norway in the Middle Ages. Thus the builds may have been inspired by the fur trade or other activities of the latter groups. It is uncertain when exactly the installations fell into disuse, as datings are calibrated to AD 1450-1650. The abandonment could be related to the decline of Novgorod as a fur trade centre, Russian loss of taxation rights in northern Norway, increased Swedish impact in the inland areas and Norwegian activity along the coasts, which all led to changes in administration, taxation, trade patterns and demand for furs. The contemporary decimation of the wild reindeer population, increased reindeer herding and introduction of new weapons like crossbows, guns and foothold traps, may all have made permanent trapping installations less useful. The sites may, however, have gone out of use at different times. Certain finds of marrow split bones, very recent coins and other objects suggest a later reconceptualisation of some structures as offering sites, whether as a local explanation or inspired by the later scholarly definition. Throughout the thesis, the construction and distribution of the archaeological category and the preference for the ritual or religious interpretation are discussed as results of specific socio-political contexts, where stereotypical notions about Sami identity and culture have had a strong impact. The thesis explores how academic and other narratives influence each other within certain discourses of power and indigenous "rights and rites", and the continuous mutual impact on individual actions and emotions through networks of people, power and things. The present reinterpretation challenges existing academic and local narratives. It is based on the materiality of the structures, but the offering site explanation is not positively refuted. Yet, as part of an authorised heritage discourse, the present statement is more likely to impact future categorisation and practices than other narratives within other discourses, expressing a persistent and inherent power inequality. This may be ethically problematic in the context of an indigenous minority, but it may also be argued that the role of the archaeologist expert is precisely to expose the insisting materiality of the past and the power/knowledge networks that promote specific narratives about it.