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Social Aspects of First Fruits Ceremonies among the South-Eastern Bantu1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 August 2012

Max Gluckmann
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Extract

The Zulu live on the south-east coast of South Africa, in a region of fertile soil, watered by fair summer rains which are occasionally interrupted by drought. Towards the end of the agricultural season they hold a great tribal ceremony, which Sir James Frazer cites as a typical first fruits sacrament, though the ceremony itself has many different rites. I hope in this paper to show that these, and the taboos on the early eating of the first fruits, together with the ritual approach to them, guard against socially disruptive forces. To the natives the importance of the ceremony is that it protects them against mystical powers; their actual effect must be sought by the anthropologist.

Résumé

L'ASPECT SOCIAL DES CÉRÉMONIES RELATIVES AUX PRÉMICES PARMI LES BANTOUS DU SUD-EST

Dans le Golden Bough Sir J. Frazer a signalé certaines croyances et coutumes relatives aux prémices et aux cérémonies de récoltes. Depuis lors les ethnologues ont accordé peu d'attention aux rites des prémices. En se fondant sur les études déjà publiées sur les Bantous du Sud-est, l'auteur suggère qu'une analyse de l'aspect social de ces manifestations montre leur importance sur la vie de la communauté. Les cérémonies ont lieu à la fin d'une période de disette et avant la plénitude qu'apporte la récolte. Il semble que la saison est alors dominée par la célébration des fêtes qui commencent; les querelles sont fréquentes. Le contrôle exercé par les chefs les prévient, de même que celui que l'organisateur de la cérémonie exerce sur les participants. II réclame une grande dépense d'énergie et correspond à l'expression de la loyauté que le peuple garde envers le chef. D'autre part, l'interdiction de manger les premiers fruits écarte la jalousie qui pourrait se manifester dans un village ou les récoltes murissent les unes après les autres. Enfin, l'abondance et la bonne camaraderie de la récolte se constatent au cours de la grande assemblée tribale de l'année.

Type
Research Article
Information
Africa , Volume 11 , Issue 1 , January 1938 , pp. 25 - 41
Copyright
Copyright © International African Institute 1938

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