Tribal Initiations And Secret Societies

Extract From University Of California Publications In American Archaeology And Ethnology, V25, No. 3, February, 1929.

Secret societies in tribal societies turn out to be key to understanding the origins of social inequalities and state religions.

"No extended discussion of homsexuality, but there is, for instance, , some discussion of the charges of homosexuality which Philip IV of France brough against the Templars in order to suppress the order and seize their goods" (p. 127ff). - Peter Thorslev.

First published 1958; preparation of sacred ground, separation from women; Kurnai initiation mystery; tooth avulsion Yuin, Murring & Waradjuri, initiatory ordeals, symbolic death, tossing of novices (Arunta), throwing fire; bullroarers & circumcision, symbolism of subincision; female initiation Arnhem Land; Kunapipi cult & ritual exchange of wives; medicine men, initiatory death, Arunta, Unmatjera and Western Desert tribes; use of magical substances, quartz crystals, pearl shell, spirit snakes; Asiatic influence apparent; Melanesian mummification; comparisons with Indian & Tibetan yogis; many authors quoted; bibliography.