Ordering being, divining time
Quincy Amoah
HAU: Journal of Ethnographic Theory September 1, 2023 DOI: 10.1086/727741 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that the Karimojong prophet Apaokere's dream-mandated sacrifice of a prized dark ox was a unique iconic poem, and that prime Nilotic sacrifices generally rest on iconic principles aimed at enrapturing poiesis rather than scapegoating. Proposes that phenomenology of language and 'rhyme-reasoning' can help resolve anthropology's 'apparently irrational beliefs.' |
Abstract
The Karimojong prophet Apaokere was called by Divinity in a dream to sacrifice. In this vision, Divinity instructed him to kill a prized dark ox for the women of his household to avoid the onset of “nothingness.” This two-part essay (the second part to appear in the following issue of Hau) theorizes that the sacrifice of the “Dark One” was a unique iconic poem and that, in general, prime Nilotic sacrifices are founded on iconic principles whose ends are enrapturing poiesis, and not scapegoating. The account also proposes that phenomenology of language and “rhyme-reasoning” may be able to resolve some of anthropology’s “apparently irrational beliefs.”