The world 'topsy-turvy' and the ancient Near Eastern cultures

A Few Examples

Bibliographic Data

ID2186603
AuthorsPaul A Kruger (Stellenbosch University, corresponding author)
Year2006
Volume29
Issue3-4
Pages115-121
Publication date2006-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAnthropology Southern Africa (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2332-3264 • E-ISSN: 2332-3256
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/23323256.2006.11499937
OpenAlexW2340195971
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited27

This paper considers socio-political examples of the universal cultural phenomenon of symbolic inversion (mundus inversus), the earliest instances of which can be traced back to the cultures of the ancient Near East. Symbolic inversion refers to manifestations of expressive behaviour where everything is inverted in relation to the normal state of affairs. Two spheres in the ancient Near Eastern world where this cultural theme is especially prominent are in the conception of the 'other' (other ethnic groups) and in the sphere of social criticism, where a given status quo is attacked and alternative structures are propagated

Aesthetics · Archaeology · Art · Criticism · Epistemology · Ethnic group · Genealogy · Inversion (geology · Literature · Middle East · Phenomenon · Political science · Politics · Psychoanalysis · Relation (database · Sociology · Status quo · The Symbolic · Ancient Egypt and Archaeology · Ancient Near East History · Anthropology · Archaeology and Historical Studies · Computer Science · History · Law · Paleontology · Philosophy · Psychology

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