Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book tries to explain why it is that certain symbols do continue sufficiently to engage people in one particular society, the Ndembu of Zambia in Central Africa. It indicates that believe social structure and process to be closely related to ritual structure and process. The book shows that it is the socially recognized organic pole of reference that appears to rouse feelings and impulses in the Ndembu ritual situation. It discusses the function and meaning of Ndembu ritual activities not only with reference to traditional modes of social and political organization, but also to the effects of modern changes on the social system. The book describes the social dramas that relate to crises leading to the application of ritual means of redress.