The Craft of Ritual Studies

Ronald L. Grimes

Oxford Ritual Studies

Combines a theory, a method, and a case for studying ritual
Directly addresses the practical concerns of students of ritual
Supplemented with illustrative videos and appendices by the author

The Craft of Ritual Studies

Ronald L. Grimes

Description

In religious studies, theory and method research has long been embroiled in a polarized debate over scientific versus theological perspectives. Ronald L. Grimes shows that this debate has stagnated, due in part to a manner of theorizing too far removed from the study of actual religious practices. A worthwhile theory, according to Grimes, must be practice-oriented, and practices are most effectively studied by field research methods.

The Craft of Ritual Studies melds together a systematic theory and method capable of underwriting the cross-cultural, interdisciplinary study of ritual. Grimes exposes the limitations that disable many theories of ritual--for example, defining ritual as essentially religious, assuming that ritual's only function is to generate group solidarity, or treating ritual as a mirror of the status quo. He provides a guide for fieldwork on complex ritual events, particularly those characterized by social conflict or cultural creativity. The volume includes a case study, focusing on a single complex event: the Santa Fe Fiesta, a New Mexico celebration marked by protracted ethnic conflict and ongoing dramatic creativity. Grimes develops such themes as the relation of ritual to media, theater, and film, the dynamics of ritual creativity, the negotiation of ritual criticism, and the impact of ritual on cultural and physical environments.

This important book, the capstone work of Grimes's three decades of leadership in the field of ritual studies, is accompanied by a set of online videos, as well as appendices illustrating key aspects of ritual studies.

The Craft of Ritual Studies

Ronald L. Grimes

Oxford Ritual Studies

Figures
Lists
Videos and Online Materials
Acknowledgements
Introduction

Part I Method
1 Performing Research and Teaching
2 Fieldworking Ritual
3 Reading, Writing, and Mediatizing Ritual

Part II Case
4 Filming Fiesta
5 Framing Fiesta

Part III Theory
6 Theorizing Ritual
7 Defining and Classifying Ritual
8 Mapping Ritual
9 Elements of Ritual
10 Dynamics of Ritual

Glossary
Sources Cited
Notes
Index

The Craft of Ritual Studies

Ronald L. Grimes

Oxford Ritual Studies

Author Information

Ronald Grimes is author of several books on ritual, including Rite Out of Place: Ritual, Media, and the Arts. He is co-editor of the Oxford Ritual Studies Series, as well as the volume Ritual, Media, and Conflict. Most recently, Grimes was Senior Researcher, Senior Lecturer, and ISM Fellow at Yale University. Previously, he was Chair of Ritual Studies at Radboud University Nijmegen (the Netherlands). He currently resides in Canada and is Professor Emeritus of Religion and Culture at Wilfrid Laurier University.

The Craft of Ritual Studies

Ronald L. Grimes

Oxford Ritual Studies

Reviews and Awards

"The contributions of this book are manifold. First, worth mentioning is the experience Grimes brings to the subject matter. Grimes has the authority and experience that provides him the critical lens through which to (re)assess the field...Craft serves as a sort of manual and guidebook on how to approach ritual. And here he acknowledges that the book was written with the classroom in mind. Craft is of use to those with an interest in anthropology, undergraduates, and senior scholars. The undergraduate and graduate student will find great use in the material that prepares one for fieldwork...His place in and contributions to the field of ritual studies and beyond are undeniable. Needless to say, the use of the book extends far beyond the field of ritual studies. Craft is a book to be put into action, not to be placed on one s armchair."--History of Religions

"The Craft of Ritual Studies deserves a place on the bookshelf of any student or scholar interested in the topic The generous spirit of the author is no less impressive than the intellectual rigor of his book, which extends an invitation to its reader and provides him/her with encouragement, provocation, and hands-on guidance A timely publication, The Craft of Ritual Studies meets the needs of beginners and offers itself as a reservoir of resources from a seasoned expert."--Journal of Religion

"With The Craft of Ritual Studies, Ronald Grimes has written a legacy statement that will surely play a central role in the field for decades to come." --Journal of the American Academy of Religion

"Highly recommended."--CHOICE

"To say that Ronald Grimes is a major figure is an understatement. His books-this the latest of them-are witness to his accomplishment as an original thinker. This book is a culminating effort that will invigorate the field." --Richard Schechner, Professor of Performance Studies, New York University