Difference between revisions of "Taboo" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | + | ==Defintion of Taboo== | |
| − | A '''taboo''' is a strong [[social]] [[prohibition]] (or [[ban (law)|ban]]) relating to any area of human activity or [[social custom]] declared as [[sacred]] and forbidden; breaking of the taboo is usually considered objectionable or abhorrent by society. The [[term]] was borrowed from the [[Tongan language]] and appears in many [[Polynesian culture]]s. In those cultures, a ''tabu'' (or ''[[tapu]]'' or ''[[kapu]]'') often has specific [[religious]] associations. It was a word brought back by Captain [[James Cook]] in | + | A '''taboo''' is a strong [[social]] [[prohibition]] (or [[ban (law)|ban]]) relating to any area of human activity or [[social custom]] declared as [[sacred]] and forbidden; breaking of the taboo is usually considered objectionable or abhorrent by society. The [[term]] was borrowed from the [[Tongan language]] and appears in many [[Polynesian culture]]s. In those cultures, a ''tabu'' (or ''[[tapu]]'' or ''[[kapu]]'') often has specific [[religious]] associations. It was a word brought back by Captain [[James Cook]] in 1777 after a long sea voyage to the South Seas and introduced it into the English language. |
When an activity or custom is classified as taboo it is forbidden and interdictions are implemented concerning it, such as the ground set apart as a [[sanctuary]] for [[criminals]]. Some taboo activities or customs are prohibited under [[law]] and transgressions may lead to severe [[Penalty|penalties]]. Other taboos result in [[embarrassment]], [[shame]], and [[rude]]ness. | When an activity or custom is classified as taboo it is forbidden and interdictions are implemented concerning it, such as the ground set apart as a [[sanctuary]] for [[criminals]]. Some taboo activities or customs are prohibited under [[law]] and transgressions may lead to severe [[Penalty|penalties]]. Other taboos result in [[embarrassment]], [[shame]], and [[rude]]ness. | ||
| + | ==Descriptions of Taboos== | ||
Taboos can include dietary restrictions ([[halal]] and [[kosher]] diets, religious [[vegetarianism]], and the prohibition of [[cannibalism]]), restrictions on [[sexual activities]] and [[relationships]] ([[intermarriage]], [[miscegenation]], [[homosexuality|sex between people of the same sex]], [[incest]], [[bestiality|animal-human sex]], [[pedophilia|adult-child sex]], [[necrophilia|sex with the dead]]), restrictions of bodily functions ([[burping]], [[flatulence]], restrictions on the use of [[psychoactive drug]]s, restrictions on state of genitalia such as [[circumcision]] or [[sex reassignment]]), [[indecent exposure|exposure of body parts]] (ankles in the [[Victorian era|Victorian]] [[British Empire]], women's faces in [[Saudi Arabia#Human Rights|Saudi Arabia]] and [[burqa|Afghanistan]], [[nudity]] in the [[United States of America|US]]), and restrictions on the use of [[profanity|offensive language]]. | Taboos can include dietary restrictions ([[halal]] and [[kosher]] diets, religious [[vegetarianism]], and the prohibition of [[cannibalism]]), restrictions on [[sexual activities]] and [[relationships]] ([[intermarriage]], [[miscegenation]], [[homosexuality|sex between people of the same sex]], [[incest]], [[bestiality|animal-human sex]], [[pedophilia|adult-child sex]], [[necrophilia|sex with the dead]]), restrictions of bodily functions ([[burping]], [[flatulence]], restrictions on the use of [[psychoactive drug]]s, restrictions on state of genitalia such as [[circumcision]] or [[sex reassignment]]), [[indecent exposure|exposure of body parts]] (ankles in the [[Victorian era|Victorian]] [[British Empire]], women's faces in [[Saudi Arabia#Human Rights|Saudi Arabia]] and [[burqa|Afghanistan]], [[nudity]] in the [[United States of America|US]]), and restrictions on the use of [[profanity|offensive language]]. | ||
| − | No taboo is known to be [[universal (metaphysics)|universal]], but some (such as the cannibalism and [[incest taboo]]s) occur in the majority of [[Society|societies]]. Taboos may serve many functions, and often remain in effect after the original reason behind them has expired. Some have argued that taboos therefore reveal the history of societies when other records are lacking. | + | No taboo is known to be truely[[universal (metaphysics)|universal]], but some (such as the cannibalism and [[incest taboo]]s) occur in the majority of [[Society|societies]]. Taboos may serve many functions, and often remain in effect after the original reason behind them has expired. Some have argued that taboos therefore reveal the history of societies when other records are lacking. |
Taboos often extend to cover discussion of taboo topics. This can result in taboo deformation ([[euphemism]]) or replacement of [[taboo word]]s. [[Marvin Harris]], a leading figure in [[cultural materialism]], endeavoured to explain taboos as a consequence of the [[ecology|ecologic]] and [[Economics|economic]] conditions of their societies. | Taboos often extend to cover discussion of taboo topics. This can result in taboo deformation ([[euphemism]]) or replacement of [[taboo word]]s. [[Marvin Harris]], a leading figure in [[cultural materialism]], endeavoured to explain taboos as a consequence of the [[ecology|ecologic]] and [[Economics|economic]] conditions of their societies. | ||
Revision as of 19:49, 24 August 2006
Defintion of Taboo
A taboo is a strong social prohibition (or ban) relating to any area of human activity or social custom declared as sacred and forbidden; breaking of the taboo is usually considered objectionable or abhorrent by society. The term was borrowed from the Tongan language and appears in many Polynesian cultures. In those cultures, a tabu (or tapu or kapu) often has specific religious associations. It was a word brought back by Captain James Cook in 1777 after a long sea voyage to the South Seas and introduced it into the English language.
When an activity or custom is classified as taboo it is forbidden and interdictions are implemented concerning it, such as the ground set apart as a sanctuary for criminals. Some taboo activities or customs are prohibited under law and transgressions may lead to severe penalties. Other taboos result in embarrassment, shame, and rudeness.
Descriptions of Taboos
Taboos can include dietary restrictions (halal and kosher diets, religious vegetarianism, and the prohibition of cannibalism), restrictions on sexual activities and relationships (intermarriage, miscegenation, sex between people of the same sex, incest, animal-human sex, adult-child sex, sex with the dead), restrictions of bodily functions (burping, flatulence, restrictions on the use of psychoactive drugs, restrictions on state of genitalia such as circumcision or sex reassignment), exposure of body parts (ankles in the Victorian British Empire, women's faces in Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan, nudity in the US), and restrictions on the use of offensive language.
No taboo is known to be truelyuniversal, but some (such as the cannibalism and incest taboos) occur in the majority of societies. Taboos may serve many functions, and often remain in effect after the original reason behind them has expired. Some have argued that taboos therefore reveal the history of societies when other records are lacking.
Taboos often extend to cover discussion of taboo topics. This can result in taboo deformation (euphemism) or replacement of taboo words. Marvin Harris, a leading figure in cultural materialism, endeavoured to explain taboos as a consequence of the ecologic and economic conditions of their societies.
Also, Sigmund Freud provided an analysis of taboo behaviours, highlighting strong unconscious motivations driving such prohibitions. In this system, described in his collections of essays Totem and Taboo, Freud postulates a link between forbidden behaviours and the sanctification of objects to certain kinship groups. Freud also states here that the only two "universal" taboos are that of incest and patricide, which formed the eventual basis of modern society.
External links
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