ABSTRACT

THIS chapter is primarily concerned with the effects of ceremony in its broadest sense on the social attitudes of the participants. In the first two sections a detailed account and analysis is given of one particular marriage: apart from the presence of a European (myself), this marriage seemed a typical one, and the points to which I draw attention generally valid. The discussion later turns to other ceremonies observed by the Samburu, and includes in its scope allied forms of behaviour such as dancing and debating. In order to analyse these more fully, I rely to a large extent on a book recently published by a psychiatrist. I do this without apology, as it seems to me that it may not be possible to understand the social function of ceremonial behaviour more fully than we do at present without turning to the findings of psychologists; and other social anthropologists have followed a similar course. I would like to emphasize at the outset that as a non-psychologist, I am only suggesting how an approach might be made to appreciating Samburu ceremony, even if in the text I seem to be too specific and decisive on various points in order to avoid continual circumlocution. The general theme of this study is supported by the various points made in this chapter, but it in no way relies on them. At the worst, this chapter may be regarded as a convenient way of presenting more material on the ceremonial aspects of Samburu society.