The Sacred Oath of a Secret Ritual: Performing Authority and Submission in the Mafia Initiation Ceremony

The Sacred Oath of a Secret Ritual: Performing Authority and Submission in the Mafia Initiation Ceremony

Blog Article

This paper draws on socio-anthropological Outdoor End Table theories of ritual and performance to analyse the initiation ceremony of the Sicilian mafia in relation to questions of power, authority and submission.In particular, it looks at the oath of loyalty sworn during the ceremony as a highly symbolic ritual practice Delivery-Fee which contributes to maintaining and strengthening the social structure of the group and itscollective identity.