Nepa School of Social Science and Humanities Lam Pokhari, Chabahil
On Key Symbols
Submitted by: Sanjaya Mahato
Anthropology
Submitted to: Mukta Singh Lama
Date: September 20, 2011
On Key Symbols
Sherry Ortner (1973) in her article “On Key Symbols” describes the importance of symbols in an anthropological study. Sherry Beth Ortner is an American cultural anthropologist and has been distinguished Professor of anthropology at University of California. Her argument on key symbols is that not all the symbols can be key symbols for anthropological study. There are certain symbols that anthropologist should know while studying the symbols. More importantly, she gives a very clear cut picture of key symbols by elaborating the term key symbols by linking with certain very precise and practical examples. She clarifies the notion of the use of key symbols to their primary modes of operating on thought and action. This paper describes the key concept of key symbols linking it with relevant examples from the Nepali society. Furthermore, this essay comprises of brief synopsis of the article “ On Key Symbols” and my personal reflection about the key symbols from my own community. Ortner “On Key Symbols” (1973) describes the importance of symbols in anthropology. She describes key symbols are culturally importance which serve basic dimensions of thought and actions. Ortner analyzes the key issues of key symbols are symbols which are culturally importance, comes in different kinds of action, have largest cultural elaboration. Ortner further elaborates and clarifies about the symbols by classifying into two parts: summarizing symbols and elaborative symbols. Summarizing symbols refers to “symbols which are seen as summing up, expressing, representing for the participants in an emotionally powerful and relatively undifferentiated way that the system means to them” (Ornter, 1973:1399). Ortner gives national flag as summarizing key symbol under which the American people stands for American nationalism. On the other hand, elaborating symbols represents the feelings and ideas for communicating and understanding. These symbols are analytical in nature. Ortner further divides the elaborating symbols into two categories: root metaphor and key scenario. Root metaphor is the symbol which describes the many aspects of experiences with comparison with symbols itself. The cock fighting of Indonesia is an example of root metaphor which symbolizes the masculinity in Balinesian culture. Key scenario is the type of elaborative symbol which is a category describes culture’s basic meaning and relationship in actable forms. For example, myth of Jit Bahan symbolizes the faith, honesty and bravery in Tharu culture. Thus, Ortner has analyzed the key symbols is very important factor to describe culture and the way of life people live. Summarizing symbol is the powerful category of key symbols that brings and unites people under a certain emblems. It can be a small sign but gives very powerful meaning to certain groups of people having a similar culture. For example let us take a Swastika sign in Hindu culture. Swastika is a sign of good omen. Whenever anyone crafts the sign of Swastika in their home in Nepal and India it is the sign of good omen and anyone can clearly recognize the religion and faith of that family or household is Hindu. Swastika is a key symbol in Hindu culture which is often drawn and crafted in sacred places of Hindu such as temple, inn, and doors. Swastika stands for something called “good” the united form of idea and feelings of good health, prosperity, omen, peace, and faith. And it stands for once. This sign is very important in Hindu culture. Hindus draws the sign of Swastika in any sacred functions. Hindus draws the sign of Swastika in every auspicious occasions and rituals such as
Dipawali, Dashain, and any Pooja. The Hindus understands Swastika is a symbol of good omen. Thus, Swastika is a summarizing symbol. Clifford Geertz very beautifully has used the idea of root metaphor in his ethnographic study in Bali, Indonesia. He reflects and describes the Balinesian culture through the cock fight. He reflected the fundamental nature and practices of Balinesian culture by comparing it with cock fight and also demonstrated the importance of cock fight in Balinesian culture. People of Bali conceptualize the structure of their won society with an analogy with the physical structure and the skills of fighting of cock. The cock fight is not only describes the societal structure but also masculinity of man and real picture of loser and winner. Geertz, very beautifully describes the root metaphor of the word cock, “the word for cock is used metaphorically to mean “hero,” “warrior,” “champion,” “man of parts,” “political candidates,” “bachelor,” “dandy,” “lady-killer,” or “tough gay”” (Geertz, 1973:418). In summary, cock fighting is a game to show the power. In this way root metaphor can be a word that symbolizes many things in a particular culture with an analogy which is culturally very important. Key scenario is the subdivision of elaborative key symbols that describes the culture’s basic meaning with an actable form. The best example can be the parable of “Hare and Tortoise”. The key scenario goes: a cunning, very fast runner and proud hare always used to tease the tortoise of his slow locomotion. One day hare and tortoise organized a competition. Hare had a proud that even with a nap on the middle of the way, he can win the competition. He took a nap on the way. But when, the rabbit got up the tortoise had already crossed the boundary. The lesson that the parable gives is very popular in the Nepali society that is “slow and steady wins the race.” The parable formulates both continuity of the work on the one hand and proudy behavior is harmful for the life with the very good comparison of the parable of hare and tortoise. The meaning that the parable has conveyed to us is very precise and actable form. Steady and continuation of work leads us in our destination. In conclusion, Ortner has clearly elaborated the concept of key symbols with example. To be key symbols it must have culturally very important for certain groups. To elaborate the concept of key symbols Ortner further classifies it into summarizing, and elaborating symbols. Summarizing and elaborating symbols are contrary to each other. Elaborating symbols further divides into root metaphor and key scenario. Root metaphor is the key symbols which has metaphorical meanings to the society with comparison with some other objects. On the other hand key scenario is the symbol that can be myth or any rituals form where we can draw very significant meanings. For example form the Horatio Alger myth, we can draw the meaning of American concept of success and hard working. In this way, Ortner has very succinctly describes the concept of key symbols by giving a real examples.
Bibliography:
Geertz, C. 1973. “Deep Play: Notes on Balinese Cockfight,” The interpretation of Culture: Selected Essay, New York: basic Books, pp 412-453. Ortner, S.B. 1973. “On Key Symbols,” American Anthropology, Vol. 75, No.5, pp. 13381346
