Om marionetdukker og andre sælsomme ting

Abstract

The hypothesis of this article is that religious rituals and other people’s social behavior influence our body and nervous system. Especially rituals and colorful ceremonies can result in attunement with the group and in attaining certain emotional and mental states (excitement, meaningfulness, fear or anxiety). They manipulate quite simply our somatic and mental states and thus allow others access to our inner worlds. These insights closely resemble Émile Durkheim’s ideas about sociality, effervescence and electricity. Today there is enough evidence in social cognitive neuroscience, neurosociology and social psychology on the interactions between our nervous system, brain, body, senses, neurochemistry, social contexts and culture to show that Durkheim was far ahead of his time. Through an analysis of two examples for the Hopi Indian marionet puppet ceremonies, I will demonstrate that Durkheim was right.