Performance Studies: An Introduction - Liminal and Liminoid

Summary

This video script delves into the concept of 'rites of passage,' exploring how anthropologist Arnold van Gennep's theory of the three phases—separation, liminality, and reintegration—has influenced modern understandings of societal transitions. Victor Turner expanded on this by applying it to both traditional and modern societies, including movements like the 1960s counterculture and modern protests like Occupy Wall Street. The concept of liminoid events is also introduced, highlighting how certain modern rites (like fraternity initiations or celebratory gatherings) echo traditional rites but are uniquely adapted for contemporary society.

Takeaways

• 😀 Liminality and limonoid are concepts introduced by Arnold van Gennep in 1909, describing the phases of rites of passage, particularly in non-Western societies.
• 😀 Van Gennep identified three phases in rites of passage: separation, liminality, and reintegration, which can be observed across different cultures and times.
• 😀 The liminal phase, according to Victor Turner, is a state of being 'betwixt and between,' where individuals are between their old and new identities.
• 😀 Turner expanded on van Gennep's ideas and applied them to modern societies, particularly to events and transitions that occur in the contemporary world.
• 😀 Modern liminality, or limonoid, refers to transitional experiences in contemporary society, distinct from traditional rites of passage, but still exhibiting similar characteristics.
• 😀 Turner explored liminoid states in the 1960s, noting the countercultural movements like the hippies and Occupy Wall Street participants as examples of modern liminality.
• 😀 Liminality is not limited to traditional societies but is also observed in modern contexts, like protests, social movements, and even social gatherings that disrupt normal societal rules.
• 😀 A liminoid state is less structured and more open to new forms of social and personal identity transformation, often emerging in modern, post-traditional societies.
• 😀 In modern societies, some events like a bar mitzvah or a sorority/fraternity initiation are considered liminal rites, but the associated celebrations afterward may be considered limonoid.
• 😀 The term limonoid captures the hybrid nature of modern social transitions, which are not strictly ritualistic but still invoke transformation and redefinition of identity.

Q & A

What is the origin of the terms 'Liminal' and 'Limonoid'?

The terms 'Liminal' and 'Limonoid' trace back to the writings of the French anthropologist Arnold van Gennep in his 1909 book on rites of passage. These terms are used to describe transitional phases in various societal rituals.

What is the significance of the three phases in a rite of passage according to van Gennep?

According to van Gennep, rites of passage consist of three phases: separation, the liminal phase, and reintegration. These phases describe the transition from one social identity to another, such as from puberty to adulthood, or life to death.

What is the liminal phase, as defined by Victor Turner?

Victor Turner expanded on van Gennep’s work, focusing particularly on the liminal phase. This phase is characterized by a state of being 'betwixt and between,' where an individual has lost their old identity but has not yet acquired a new one, thus being in an intermediate, open state.

How did Turner apply the concept of liminality to modern society?

Turner sought to apply the concept of liminality beyond traditional societies to modern contexts, such as the social movements of the 1960s or contemporary events like Occupy Wall Street. He argued that modern movements, which challenge societal norms and exist in a state of transition, can also be considered liminal.

What does the term 'Limonoid' refer to, and how does it differ from 'Liminal'?

The term 'Limonoid' is used to describe modern, non-traditional rites or social states that resemble but do not strictly follow the rules of liminality. Limonoid events may involve transformation or initiation but are typically new, invented, and often occur in modern society.

How do traditional and modern societies relate to the concepts of liminal and limonoid rites?

Traditional societies follow strict rites of passage that fit into the liminal model, as described by van Gennep. In contrast, modern societies exhibit limonoid rites, which can occur alongside traditional practices, like a bar mitzvah followed by a party or a fraternity initiation that mimics traditional rites of passage.

Can you give an example of a limonoid event in modern society?

An example of a limonoid event in modern society is a fraternity or sorority initiation. This event involves initiatory rites that resemble traditional rites of passage, but they are more modern and socially constructed, making them limonoid rather than strictly liminal.

What was Victor Turner’s interest in the liminal phase during the 1960s?

During the 1960s, Turner was particularly interested in how social movements, like those occurring in San Francisco or Woodstock, reflected liminal experiences. These movements were in a transitional state, not yet forming new societal structures but challenging existing ones.

What does 'Betwixt and Between' mean in the context of liminality?

'Betwixt and between' refers to the condition of being in the liminal phase, where individuals are neither in their old social identity nor fully integrated into a new one. This term highlights the uncertainty and transitional nature of the liminal phase.

How does the concept of liminality relate to social movements like Occupy Wall Street?

The Occupy Wall Street movement can be seen as existing in a liminal state because it challenged the existing social and financial systems without yet establishing a new one. The protestors were in a transitional phase, much like the liminal phase in rites of passage, where they were neither part of the traditional order nor part of a newly established one.