Image and Pilgrimage- Amanda Ewen

Chapter 1- Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture

Chapter one is focused on pilgrimage as a liminal phenomenon.  It starts off by explaining where pilgrimages began.  Pilgrimages are of ancient origin and can be traced to the Huichol, Lunda, and Shona people.  The chapter also explains that pilgrimages are a rite of passage in some cultures.  The rites of passage are composed of three stages, separation, limen or margin, and aggravation.  The first stage is separating yourself from a group.  The second stage when you become ambiguous.  The last stage is returning to your group.  I feel that these stages are important in a rite of passage.  The separation stage is important in order to become your own person.  My question about this stage is how do we accomplish this stage? How long does it take to complete this stage?  The margin stage allows a person to change the way they think.  I would have liked to know more about this stage.  The aggravation stage is trying to reinitiate yourself into your old life.  I want to know how difficult it is to do this.  Another thins that I found interesting in this chapter was the difference between pilgrimage and tribal affliction ritual.  The major difference is that tribal affliction rituals are supposed to yield a result.  A pilgrimage, however, is not supposed to e used to yield a result.